Creative Musician, Facilitator and Technologist
Sensory Touch Pads
A bank of sensory touch pads is a great way to develop a simple instrument that is tailored to an individual. Through design the housing, the pads and the function it can truly become something that is designed for or by a single user; a project that can be seen through conception to completion and provides ample opportunity for creativity and self-expression.
In this example the housing is a decorated shoe box, painted without instruction or guidance. The pads are made of felt, stitched through with conductive thread – though these could just as easily be made out of any other material, provided there is a means by which it can be made conductive. The pads themselves are also constructed in the fashion of an overlay so that they can be switched out for a different material if preferences change.
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As far as the pads go it functions as a simple midi-interface, sending note on / off messages and these can be programmed to do just about anything imaginable from triggering sounds or musical notes, to launching loops or altering parameters.
This is also a simple way to create a simple bespoke instrument for someone with additional needs, everything can be customised to a sensory profile and tailored to the likes and preferences of each individual.
