ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

In the mid 1980's I did an exhibit at the Brooklyn Children's Museum
using sampling and MIDI.  We used regular MIDI keyboards in wooden
enclosures to hide the buttons and sliders.  We also used something
called the Roland Octapad, which is a midi trigger in the form of 8
pressure sensitive pads, meant to be struck by sticks.  The keyboard we
used was an Ensoniq Mirage, which dates us a bit here, the first
consumer sampling keyboard.   Our theory was that if these things are
designed to hold up under rock n'roll road use, they probably would
survive a children's museum.  They lasted for over a year, as I recall.

I agree heartily with Jason that sound is a great way to do a whole
range of engaging science.  The Hall is developing a workshop now using
sound to explore the environment and physics.  It was part of an NSF
proposal which just got rejected, but which, based upon the comments, we
are planning to resubmit. We are going on with parts of the project
anyway, with private funding. If anyone is interested, I'd be glad to
share the text of the proposal.  We would welcome your feedback.  When
we resubmit, it would be great to have a lot of support.

Eric Siegel
Director of Planning
   & Program Development
Connections Project Director
New York Hall of Science
47-01 111th Street
Queens, NY 11368
[log in to unmask]
www.nyscience.org

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Informal Science Education Network
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of jasonJayStevens
> Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2004 9:24 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Sound Exhibits
>
>
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of
> Science-Technology Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network
> of science museums and related institutions.
> **************************************************************
> ***************
>
> William,
>
> As I'm sure you realize, waveforms are a great way to
> visualize sound, and can be used as a springboard for a lot
> of science in a fun way. COSI Toledo (if my memory
> serves...it's been several years) has a keyboard instrument
> with which one can observe the two waveforms of any two keys
> struck, and, on a third display, witness the singular
> waveform that the combined tones produce. It's a great
> exhibit inasmuch as it simply and clearly demonstrates a set
> of principles, while at the same time, offering some
> aesthetic pay-off.  At least for a musician such as myself,
> getting to actually see soundwaves merge, being able to see
> the differences between cacophony and harmony, was thoroughly
> engrossing.
>
> **But I have no idea how they kept that keyboard in good shape.**
>
> My inclination would be to enter the project assuming that
> I'd need to design a different interactive layer for between
> the user and the processor.
>
> Whether this means using pre-existing MIDI technology or
> hacking a keyboard is up to choice and budget.
>
> There's a whole community of "circuit-benders" out there,
> modifying consumer electronics, and you can find many
> "keyboard hacks" on the internet....for example:
> http://www.anti-theory.com/soundart/circuitbend/
>
> But MIDI's worth delving into if you haven't.  I'm surprised
> I don't see more exhibits that take advantage of MIDI, it
> being so rugged and pretty versatile.  You know, one laptop
> computer, a cheap MIDI device, and a piece of software or
> two, and today one can emulate equipment that  just seven or
> eight years ago would have cost tens of thousands of dollars.
> Apple's iGarage--or iLife GarageBand or whatever it's
> called-- is a great example...it's a sampler and sequencer
> that cost's only $50!!! (of course...you need a computer,
> too) So much for Junior asking Mom and Pop for a cheap
> electric guitar for Christmas!
>
>
> ___
> jasonJayStevens
> exhibitsDevelopment
> annArborHandsOnMuseum
> [log in to unmask]
>
> potterBelmarLabs
> www.potterbelmar.org
> [log in to unmask]
>
> On Feb 25, 2004, at 1:07 PM, William wrote:
> > Hello everyone!
> > One of our upcoming projects is creating a sound booth area where
> > people can experiment with sounds.  Specifically, we wanted
> to create
> > an area where people could either utilize a keyboard or
> record their
> > voice. Then
> > play with the speed of those sounds and maybe even alter the wave
> > forms.
> >  As such, I am looking for what people consider the most successful
> > exhibits in this vein.
> > More specific questions are:
> > Does anyone know of software packages that do this in a
> user friendly
> > way,
> > or that can be modified with overlays to do this?  any
> items I should
> > avoid?
> > Recommendations for keyboards to use in conjunction with this?
> >
> > Thank you in advance for your ideas!
> >
> > -William Katzman
> >
> > William Katzman                    "The important thing is to never
> > stop
> > questioning." -A. Einstein
> > Director of Exhibits               "Are you sure about that
> Al?" -His
> > wife.
> > Catawba Science Center
> > ph: (828) 322-8169 x307
> > fax:(828) 322-1585
> > [log in to unmask]
> >
> >
> **********************************************************************
> > *
> > More information about the Informal Science Education
> Network and the
> > Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at
> > http://www.astc.org.
> > To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
> > message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
> > [log in to unmask]
> >
>
>
> ___
> jasonJayStevens
> potterBelmarLabs
> www.potterbelmar.org
> [log in to unmask]
>
> **************************************************************
> *********
> More information about the Informal Science Education Network
> and the Association of Science-Technology Centers may be
> found at http://www.astc.org. To remove your e-mail address
> from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the message  SIGNOFF
> ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to [log in to unmask]
>

***********************************************************************
More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]