Description:

Musical knobs are ubiquitous, but how does adding haptic feedback influence both the control and the experience of control in the music you create? — Bend-aid interface and TorqueTuner can help with exploring the idea!

This project examined how rotary force feedback in knobs can enhance control over musical techniques, focusing on both performance and user experience. To support our study, we developed the Bend-aid system, a web-based sequencer with pre-designed haptic modes for pitch modulation, integrated with TorqueTuner, a rotary haptic device that controls pitch through programmable haptic effects. Then, twenty musically trained participants evaluated three haptic modes (No-force feedback (No-FF), Spring, and Detent) by performing a vibrato mimicry task, rating their experience on a Likert scale, and providing qualitative feedback in post-experiment interviews. The study assessed objective performance metrics (Pitch Error and Pitch Deviation) and subjective user experience ratings (Comfort, Ease of Control, and Helpfulness) of each haptic mode. User experience results showed that participants found force feedback helpful. Performance results showed that the Detent mode significantly improved pitch accuracy and vibrato stability compared to No-FF, while the Spring mode did not show a similar improvement. Post-experiment interviews showed preferences for Spring and Detent modes varied and people provide suggestions for future knob designs. These findings suggest that force feedback may enhance both control and the experience of control in rotary knobs, with potential applications for more nuanced control in DMIs.

IDMIL Participants:

• Bavo Van Kerrebroeck
• Christian Frisson
• Marcelo M. Wanderley
• Ziyue Piao

Research Areas:

• Haptics: Tactile and Force-Feedback
• Interface Design
• Interface Evaluation

Funding:

• NSERC