The Synterface: A Student Project by Tom

Before we get into the details of your instrument, tell us a little bit about yourself.

Tom: I studied at Leeds Metropolitan University, doing a Music Technology degree. This was the final project, in my final year. It was a group project by myself and three other music technology students.

Please tell us about your instrument and what makes it odd.

Tom: It’s not particularly amazing, but I will describe it as best I can. It is a performance synth with a custom built hardware interface. The software is all done in Max, and it lets you set up the synth, effects, modulations, filters, LFOs, and envelopes. All in all there are about 5 synthesis types if I am remembering right.

The hardware is made using phidgets, which control the synth. There are faders, but the oddness comes from the fact that we used infrared (IR) sensors. Back in the software, you get the chance to hook the faders and IR up to as many parameters of the synth as you like.
So by moving your hands, the sound reacts to your gestures and changes not only pitch, but any number of other timbral characteristics. There’s also a loop recording system built in so that you can build up more complex sounds. This is controlled by foot switches.

Anyway, there ya go. It’s nothing amazing, but it’s kind of odd, so I thought I’d show you. It goes by the massively marmitey name synterface.

What are you planning as far as your future musical endeavors go?

I have a few ideas for sonic arts pieces floating around in my head that I will try and get round to doing now that my degree is over. One is kind of in the style of Janek Schaefer. Other than that, I am looking for work, considering anything music based.

Thank you Tom!