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Soundgarten is a tangible interface that enables children to create their
own sound environment by manipulating physical toy objects. They can use predefined
sound samples, record sound samples of their environment, modify and arrange
the different elements in sound scenarios, choose volume pitch and apply sound
effects.
Soundgarten consists of mushroom-formed items that represent sound samples.
There are small flower- and leave-shaped attributes, which can be plugged
onto the »mushroom« to modify the sound. A radio-wave microphone
embedded in a shuffle-shaped device can record sound samples when a special
recording mushroom is plugged into it. Last but not least, the »flower-patch«,
i.e. the central part of Soundgarten, allows the sounds to be activated and
arranged.
The Soundgarten interface works in combination with software that runs on
any standard personal computer. Via a wireless data connection the PC works
completely detached from the interface itself and thus remains invisible to
the user. According to the concept of invisible and embedded computing, the
user’s attention is centred on the interaction space and not on the technical
details.
Compared to common graphical sound software interfaces, the principle of Soundgarten
offers significant advantages: It involves haptic-tactile senses and spatial
reasoning, taking advantage of basic human skills and therefore enables children,
Illiterates or handicapped to make use of new electronic and digital technology.
Contrary to WIMP (Windows Icons Menu Pointer) Interfaces Soundgarten allows
multi user activity. The target audience is 3 to 8 year-olds, the recommended
age for beginning a child’s musical education.
Get the full documentation and video-clips at www.soundgarten.com
<Conception><Designer> Michael Wolf
<Software> Christoph Groenegress
<Electronics> Yinlin Li
<Link> KISD-Archives
