Description:

Le Bâton is a new digital musical instrument based on the nonlinear dynamics of the triple pendulum.

The triple pendulum is a simple physical system constructed by attaching three pendulums vertically such that each joint can swing freely. When subjected to large oscillations, its motion is chaotic and is often described as unexpectedly mesmerizing. Le Bâton uses wireless inertial measurement units (IMUs) embedded in each pendulum arm to send real-time motion data to Max/MSP. We implemented a control mechanism, allowing a user to remotely interact with it by setting the initial release angle, and designed mappings between pendulum movements and sound synthesis for sonification.

IDMIL Participants:

• Christian Frisson
• Marcelo M. Wanderley
• Matt Skarha
• Vincent Cusson

Research Areas:

• Embedded Systems
• Hardware Development
• Mapping

Funding:

• Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology (CIRMMT)

Publications:

• Skarha, M., Cusson, V., Frisson, C., Wanderley, M. M. (2021). Le Bâton: A Digital Musical Instrument Based on the Chaotic Triple Pendulum. In Proceedings of the 2021 International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME 2021). Shanghai, China.

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