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Initial Ideas

I have always been passionate about techno and EDM music, and I love the energy that beats and rhythms bring. Music has always been an inspiration for me, and I wanted to explore creating something that blends technology, interaction, and sound. That’s why I am interested in making an interactive product or tangible device that allows people to create or mix music in a fun and hands-on way. Instead of just using digital software, I want to experiment with physical interaction—something you can touch, move, or manipulate to generate beats and sounds. This project is my way of bringing together my love for music, beats, and making things, and I’m excited to see where it leads!

1) Sound Wave Sandbox

Sculpt Sound with Sand!

I’m thinking of building the Sound Wave Sandbox a fun, interactive way to create music using sand and motion. Inspired by the Augmented Reality Sandbox, where sand height determines colors, this project takes it a step further shaping sand will generate and control music in real time!

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How It Works:

  • Move the sand to change sound frequencies and tones.
  • Sound changes based on terrain—higher peaks produce higher frequencies, and valleys create deeper bass.
  • Dynamic beats and ambient soundscapes emerge as you sculpt.
  • Projected visuals sync with the music for an immersive experience.

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Tech Behind It:

  • Depth Sensors (Kinect/LiDAR) track sand height variations.
  • MIDI Mapping translates depth into musical notes.
  • Projection Mapping adds real-time interactive visuals.

Potential Use Cases:

  • Interactive Art Installations – A hands-on experience where visitors sculpt their own music.
  • Music Education – Teaching sound frequencies and spatial interaction in a fun way.
  • Therapeutic & Relaxation Tool – Playing with sand while generating calming ambient music.
  • Live Performances – Musicians can use the sandbox as a visual-musical instrument.
  • Collaborative Soundscapes – Multiple users can shape the sand together to create evolving music.

2) Jenga Sound Blocks

For my second initial idea, apart from the Sound Wave Sandbox, I’m thinking of building Jenga Sound Blocks—an interactive music-making system where stacking and arranging blocks generates sound and music in real time.

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How It Works:

  • Each Jenga-like block is embedded with sensors.
  • When blocks are stacked in different configurations, they trigger different sounds, beats, or instrument layers.
  • Changing the arrangement modifies the composition dynamically, allowing users to "build" music physically.
  • Height, order, and positioning of the blocks determine the sound layers, pitch, and tempo.

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Tech Behind It:

  • RFID/NFC sensors or pressure sensors in the base to detect blocks.
  • Microcontroller to process block placement and translate it into MIDI signals.
  • Speakers or MIDI synth to play the generated music.
  • LED indicators on the blocks for visual feedback.

Potential Use Cases:

  • Interactive Music Installations – A hands-on experience for exhibitions and events.
  • Music Learning & Experimentation – Helps users understand layering and sequencing in music.
  • Collaborative Music Play – Multiple users can build together to create live music compositions.
  • Performance Tool for Artists – Can be used as a tangible music controller in live performances.
  • Fun & Engaging Gameplay – Works as a playful way to experiment with sound without technical knowledge.