How can we use sound to augment an art piece, or an installation? In this crash course we'll experiment with sound design and learn how to program our own sounds using microcontrollers and sensors. We'll be using the Arduino environment and the Daisy Seed microcontroller to synthesize the sound.
The Simple kit has 80 footprints for knobs, switches and sockets. You can design and build your own unique layout within a couple of hours. And, we're using the Daisy Seed microcontroller, which allows lots of sound design flexibility. It's so immediate, you'll have a sounding instrument in the first workshop day!
How can we use sound to augment an art piece, or an installation? In this crash course we'll experiment with sound design and learn how to program our own sounds using microcontrollers and sensors. We'll be using the Arduino environment and the Daisy Seed microcontroller to synthesize the sound.
We will start off with learning the basics of synthesis using a program called VCV Rack. We'll learn how sound works, and what we can do with oscillators, filters and noise (hint - quite a lot!).
Learning goals
Activities
Time
10:00 - 12:00
Now that we understand the fundamentals of synthesis, let's solder our own interface and run a couple of programs on it. We'll learn how to solder the components and program our sound in Arduino using the Daisyduino library.
Learning goals
Activities
Time
13:00 - 17:00
Nothing fancy, but you'll need one to make the most out of the kit. We can probably get you one for the workshop, but when you'll want to make progress at home you'll need your own. You'll also need some solder and desoldering wick
Mac or Windows ideally. You can follow this 4 minute tutorial to install Arduino and the additional libraries and drivers required.
Also install VCV Rack. It's free, and awesome! We'll use it to learn synthesis fundamentals, but it is an amazing instrument in its own right.
We'll need a micro USB cable to connect our synth to the computer and program it. Make sure your cable can transfer data (some cables can only charge).
Sign up below for podcast updates, online workshops and DIY kits made exclusively for our community of synth makers!
