In this practice-based workshop, we will give you the tools to build new tools for music creation and explore new methods of physically interacting with computers to make music.
Participants will design and build working prototypes with the aim of developing these for performance and exhibits. Further issues to be explored will include modes and mappings in computer music, exercises in invention, and applications of sensors and electronics to real-time music. The workshop will be augmented by a survey of existing controllers and pieces of interactive music.
This workshop is intended for: Musicians or composers interested in exploring new possibilities in interactive music in a hands on and technical way; Anyone looking to gain valuable skills in basic analog and digital electronics, with a focus on invention; OR Makers, engineers, computer scientists, or product designers interested in exploring artistic outlets for their talents and collaborating with performers and composers.
Alongside physical interaction design, the workshop integrates programming, electronics, audio, and interactive music. Participants will learn how to use some of the basic tools of Maker community, including the Arduino platform, Teensy Microcontrollers, sensor technologies, communication with MIDI and Open Sound Control (OSC), and physical interface design.
The workshop will cover industry-standard resistive, force-sensitive, capacitative, optical, ultrasound, magnetic, and acceleration sensors. We will also teach participants how to make their own sensors with custom geometries constructed out of materials such as conductive fabric, copper tape, piezoelectrics and everyday objects.
Prerequisites
There are no strict prerequisites for this course. We are assuming a basic familiarity with computers, music and some music software. We assume that you will have some experience using a music production software that can take MIDI input such as Ableton Live, Garage Band, Ardour, Logic, SuperColider, FL Studio, Max/MSP etc. We will be asking attendees to bring their own computers with their preferred music software installed. We do not have any preference about which software you use. There are no engineering or technical prerequisites. We assume no prior knowledge in electronics, computer coding or building.
Course Flow – Detailed Schedule Below
Monday: Get our basic tool chain working.
Tuesday: Delve deeper into the toolchain and begin forming project ideas.
Wednesday: Technology, guest lectures and start working on projects.
Thursday: Individual work with consultation.
Friday: Present the final projects.
Monday
Morning (9am – 12:30pm):
Morning (9am – 12:30pm):
- Opening Sketching Exercise
- Class Overview, Signal flow and toolchain
- Context, History, Examples
- Electronics overview
- Background and Intro To Microcontrollers, Arduino and Teensy Platforms
Afternoon (1:30 pm - 5pm)
- 1:30pm Roger: Musical ideas for various sensors and sound/light outputs (30 minutes)
- Hands on Lab 1: Button In, MIDI out. Goal: Send and receive data between Teensy and Computer software.
- Sensor Lecture 1: FSR, Bend, Photocell, Pot, Softpot, Hall Effect, Piezo, Homemade Sensors, Textiles
Homework:
- Sketch 10 ideas
- Bring your lunch so that we can have a short lunch break on Tuesday.
Tuesday
Morning (9am – 12:30pm):
- Design Thoughts: Bill Verplank Interaction’s Design Sketchbook – Button vs Knob. Continuous vs Discrete Gestures
- Sensor Brainstorm Exercise
- Sensor Lecture 2: Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, IMU, Encoders, Capacitive Sensors.
- Sensor Lecture 3: Sensing Systems – Wii, Leap Motion, Sensel, Cameras, etc
- Serial Protocols (i2c, SPI and UART) AND MIDI Clarified
- Continuous Sensing in Teensy AND Scaling data on the Teensy, Mapping Data in your DAW
Afternoon (1:30 pm - 5pm)
- Present your ideas to the class.
- Hands on Lab 2: Knob In, MIDI CC Data out
- 4pm – 5pm Roger: What’s inside LinnStrument and how I created it.
Homework:
- Make a rough plan for three of your ideas.
Wednesday
Morning (9am – 12:30pm):
- 9:00 Roger : Tips for making an effective project and presentation (30 minutes)
- Lab Tour
- Materials for Makers Lecture and Sourcing Parts and Materials
Afternoon (1:30 pm - 5pm)
- Get going on projects if ready.
- Get help from instructors if you need more guidance.
Homework:
- For one of your ideas, make a detailed plan or proof of concept.
Thursday
Morning (9am – 12:30pm):
- CAD/CAM
- Physical Interconnects – Advantages, Options, Demonstration
- Teensy Audio Library
- Requests?
- Group check in about the state of your piece
- 11am Roger: Making your project into a commercial product (30 minutes)
Afternoon (1:30 pm - 5pm)
- Individual work with consultation
Homework:
- Wrap up your project and concentrate on how you will demonstrate it on Friday.
Friday
Morning (9am – 12:30pm):
- Make any final adjustments to projects and setup in stage.
Afternoon (1:30 pm - 5pm)
- 1pm – 3pm Final Projects
- 3pm – 4pm Wrap Up Conversation
- 4pm – 5pm Clean Up
Tools and Materials Required:
For students taking the course in person, please bring a working laptop computer. We provide a basic kit with the needed parts for the workshop to all in person attendees.
For those taking the course online, a description and link to a spreadsheet of parts and tools can be found here: https://sashaleitman.com/dpi4m-parts-list-2026/
Technology:
While there are many different means of interacting physically with a computer or electronics for music, the toolchain that we will be teaching for this course is a Teensy microcontroller outputting MIDI messages to whatever sound producing software each student is comfortable using. Participants are more than welcome to substitute other systems or protocols for their workshop projects.
We will be focusing on physical interaction in this course. We will not be teaching sound synthesis or sound design but are happy to offer tips and point students in the direction of excellent online influences for self-study.
Registration:
You can go to the CCRMA Workshop Page for more information.