Instruments

2016, Till Bovermann

Instrument sets of the experimental musicians playing at the closing concert of the 3DMIN project (2016).

On hacking instruments

2015, Victor Zappi, Andrew McPherson

Many digital musical instruments (DMIs) are created every year, but very few of them have a long life and a wide diffusion. Even within the relatively small DMI performer community, it is common to see a beautifully crafted design being put aside when a new technology is made available. By contrast, familiar acoustic and electric instruments have acquired their current identity through generations of design revisions and performance practice. Why is it so common that even the best DMIs disappear after a few performances, or at best, are used in the longer term by only a handful of musicians?

Embracing technology

2014, Till Bovermann

As a performer and instrument builder, I value additions to the established “construction kit for instruments”, if

• the specifics of the introduced technology add something valuable to its sound or control repertoire, and
• if they possess an actual chance of being used.