Archive
IJMSTA - Vol. 8 - Issue 2 - July 2026
ISSN 2612-2146
Pages:
7
Gesture, Materiality and Environmental Coupling in Sustainable Interfaces for Musical Expression
Authors:
J. Scordato, E. Benato, C. Paolini
Categories:
Journal
Abstract -
This paper investigates three musical expression interfaces developed around a common inertial sensing platform but articulated through different physical and interaction configurations. The systems (IANG, Orbsynth, and AuraSonic) combine a low-power microcontroller with a six-axis inertial measurement unit; they are respectively configured as a handheld controller, a spherical physical object, and a wearable body interface. The study examines how this shared technological core acquires distinct expressive functions through physical embodiment, interaction models, and computational mapping, shifting the focus from the sensor itself to its structural integration. A comparison of their design and artistic applications highlights the critical roles of gesture, materiality, and environmental coupling in shaping performance. Ultimately, the findings suggest how reconfigurability and the sharing of a common hardware framework can serve as methodological resources for sustainable electronic lutherie.
Keywords:
NIME, Gesture, Embodied interaction, Inertial sensing, Electronic lutherie, Environmental coupling
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