I wrote software for the Princeton Laptop Orchestra (PLOrk) to translate a music score into robotic movements . We sonified the electric motors so the robot becomes one giant, expressive, musical instrument. The raw sound from the motors was then run through a Max/MSP interface to control effects and distortions.

 

Project initiated by Axel Kilian and Jeff Snyder. Projection mapping by Ryan Johns and Gene Kogan. Musical piece performed by members of PLOrk. 

 

Machine Yearning by PLOrk (the Princeton Laptop Orchestra): with special guest THE ROBOT Robot programming by Ryan Luke Johns, and Charlie Avis (*14), and live projection mapping by Gene Kogan in collaboration with Ryan Johns. Project initiated by Axel Kilian and Jeffrey Snyder Listen in speakers or headphones -- most of the sound is bass! This collaboration came about through Axel Kilian, a Professor in the Architecture department, who acquired an industrial robot for his department and was dreaming up interesting artistic projects in which to use it. A collaboration with PLOrk sounded like a great idea, so we went to work putting it together. Most of the sounds you hear are produced by the electromagnetic fields generated by the motors of the robot as it moves – we worked out the software to be able to program the robot to play specific pitches. PLOrk members amplify and alter these audio signals and add our own sounds to the texture. Thanks so much to everyone involved for their hard work on putting this together! PLOrk members: Jeff Snyder - director Cenk Ergun - assistant director Mike Mulshine Noah Fishman Molly Bolten A.K. Williams Avneesh Sarwate

Rehearsal clip for PLOrk's "Machine Yearning" performance. Full performance video to come! All sound is produced by electromagnetic pickups on the robot's motors, and effects are manipulated by members of PLOrk. Directed by Jeff Snyder and at the invitation of Axel Kilian. Robot motion programming by Charlie Avis (movements interpreted from musical compositions by Jeff Snyder and Cenk Ergun). Projection mapping onto moving robot programmed (not pictured here, but in the live performance) by Ryan Luke Johns and Gene Kogan. Graphics by Gene Kogan. More information at: princeton.edu/music/events_archive/viewevent.xml?id=930 and: soa.princeton.edu/content/plork-princeton-laptop-orchestra-performs-robotic-arm Collaborator Sites: Jeff Snyder: scattershot.org/ Axel Kilian: designexplorer.net/ Charlie Avis: charlie-avis.squarespace.com/ Cenk Ergun: cenkergun.com/ Ryan Luke Johns: gshed.com Gene Kogan: genekogan.com/