This blog is something of an experiment, serving both as a digital lab book for documenting my research and as a means of communication with my advisors and collaborators. I'm currently somewhere in my third year of a master's program in Media Arts & Technology (MAT) at UC Santa Barbara and the research presented here will be for my master's project.
The project is an attempt to electromagnetically actuate the tines of a Fender Rhodes piano, leaving the key/hammer mechanism intact, and controlling the actuators with the existing keyboard interface by sensing continuous key position or aftertouch pressure. Inspiration comes predominantly from Andrew McPherson's Magnetic Resonator Piano (impressive demonstration video) with electromagnetically actuated strings and acoustic amplification through the soundboard. My goals are similar, but designing such a system for an electromechanical piano will present a different set of challenges.
Finally, the title Formant Informant is derived from an old MAT rock band, Former Informer, featuring Pablo Colapinto, Phil Popp, Mariano Mora, and Anil Camci. I always liked their clever band name and am pleased with my spin on it.
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