Embedded Audio Without Beeps: Synthesis and Sound Effects From Cheap to Steep

Can your microwave be musical? What does it take to design devices that produce better sounds than the prototypical square wave beeps we are accustomed to hearing today? The authors have developed several prototyping toolkits for the rapid creation – sketching in hardware – of sonic and tangible interaction designs focusing on audio for interactive devices; specifically, producing higher-quality sound than the typical beeps so commonly heard from many digital devices today. Participants will learn how to create both completely self-contained devices for embedding into various objects or clothing, and wireless devices for the control of sound or music generated remotely. For example, studio creations can synthesize sound directly with an Arduino or a more powerful “Create USB Interface” board via Direct Digital Synthesis. Alternatively, they can control a program such as Pure Data (or other common software environments for audio processing) via innovative interfaces that send real-time inputs to such software running on a laptop, mobile device, or small Linux board (e.g., Raspberry Pi or Beagleboard). Basic hardware will be provided, but participants are also encouraged to bring related equipment they may already own.