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GRAPHICAL INTERFACES
Jean-Michel Couturier
LMA-CNRS
31, chemin Joseph Aiguier 13402 Marseille cedex 20
couturier@lma.cnrs-mrs.fr
ABSTRACT
This paper introduces the use of graphical interfaces to
interpret an electroacoustic piece, Etheraction.
Electroacoustic pieces, commonly created for tape, can
now be interpreted in live performance with dedicated
interactive systems; the interaction between the
performers and these systems can use graphical
interfaces, largely implemented in nowadays computers.
When using graphical interfaces for real time sound
control, the tasks consist in controlling sound parameters
through the manipulation of graphical objects, using
pointing techniques or direct control with additional
devices. The paper presents how I have designed two
interactive systems dedicated to interpret in live
Etheraction, a multichannel piece I have initially
composed for tape. The piece is based on the motion of
physical models of strings that control sound parameters.
The two devices control both synthesis parameters and
spatialisation parameters, are based on interactions with
graphical interfaces, and use specific controllers.
1.
Gesture
Gesture
transducer
Sound
process
Mapping
GUI
objects
Sound
Mapping 2
Objects data
INTRODUCTION
Sound process
parameters
Gesture
data
The graphical interfaces are not essential in a computerbased musical device, unlike in many computer
applications, but they can provide a high level of
interactivity in the performance. This section introduces
the use of graphical interfaces in the context of real time
performance: how to act in the interface, with which
controller, what are the advantages.
2.1. Controlling graphical objects
Commonly implemented in nowadays computers, the
graphical interfaces are often used in music softwares. In
case of real time sound control, the tasks consist in
controlling sound parameters through the manipulation
of graphical objects, according to the direct manipulation
principles [10]. All sound parameters are controllable via
graphical objects that generally represent real objects like
piano keyboards, faders, buttons, etc. The graphical
b
Figure 3. An example of direct control of graphical
interface through a specific controller. The graphical
sliders displayed on screen are permanently linked
with the physical sliders of the controller.
Graphical tablet
Pen display
Touchscreen
Multi-touch surface
ETHERACTION: INTERPRETATION OF AN
ELECTROACOUSTIC PIECE
Pointing fingers
Joystick
Part 2
Part 3
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
Group 6
Spatialisation
Sliders
nd
2 part
String
Spatialisation of
two channels
3rd part
Sliders
Tip pressure
CONCLUSION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
REFERENCES