Many-Person Instruments for Computer Music Performance
Michael F. Rotondo, Nick Kruge, Ge Wang · New Interfaces for Musical Expression · 2012
In this paper we explore the concept of instruments which are played by more than one person, and present two case studies. We designed, built and performed with Feedbork, a two-player instrument comprising two iPads which form a video feedback loop, and Barrel, a nine-player instrument made up of eight Gametrak controllers fastened to a steel industrial barrel. By splitting the control of these instruments into distinct but interdependent roles, we allow each individual to easily play a part while retaining a rich complexity of output for the whole system. We found that the relationships between those roles had a significant effect on how the players communicated with each other, and on how the performance was perceived by the audience.