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Joseph CheeVisual designer & creative technologistSingapore

Demonhead Drum Machine

Role
Illustrator & Concept Artist
Time
2023, 4 months
Client
Personal Project
With
Kimberly Bristol

Overview

A gesture-controlled music creation experience that transforms hand movements into dynamic musical compositions. Using computer vision and physics-based interactions, this installation allows anyone to create complex rhythms and melodies through intuitive physical gestures, featuring 40 unique instrument loops at 140 BPM.

The Challenge

Create an intuitive and engaging way for people to create music through physical movement, breaking down the barriers between gesture and sound in a playful and accessible way.

The Approach

We developed a system that uses computer vision to track hand movements, translating gestures into musical events. The physics-based interface allows users to 'grab' and manipulate sound objects in space.

The Solution

The final installation features 40 unique instrument loops at 140 BPM, with physics-based interactions that make music creation feel natural and intuitive. Users can layer sounds, create rhythms, and explore musical combinations through movement.

The Impact

The project successfully bridged the gap between physical movement and musical creation, allowing people with no musical background to create complex compositions through intuitive gestures.

Next projectHeirloom
Drum Machine lettering in chunky orange tube-style type over a purple background of stylised speaker cones.
Drum Machine lettering in chunky orange tube-style type over a purple background of stylised speaker cones.
Demonhead Drum Machine Interactive Exhibit
Full Demonhead interface with beat analysis bar, webcam view, instrument icons and faders, beside a 'Created by Kimberly Bristol and Joseph Chee' credit.
Full Demonhead interface with beat analysis bar, webcam view, instrument icons and faders, beside a 'Created by Kimberly Bristol and Joseph Chee' credit.
Close-up of the Demonhead visualiser waveform above a row of orange mixer faders on a purple panel.
Close-up of the Demonhead visualiser waveform above a row of orange mixer faders on a purple panel.
Webcam view of a user wearing headphones, with circular instrument icons and loop counters overlaid along the bottom of the screen.
Webcam view of a user wearing headphones, with circular instrument icons and loop counters overlaid along the bottom of the screen.
Demonhead header in orange pixel lettering above the beat analysis bar, with the hint 'Raise both hands to reset instruments'.
Demonhead header in orange pixel lettering above the beat analysis bar, with the hint 'Raise both hands to reset instruments'.