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x.e.k.i.

[2023]


Guthman Competition Finalist 2024
International Symposium on the Internet of Sounds 2023

 
Project Duration:
5 weeks

Collaborators:
Herui Chen
Pete Zhang
Personal roles:
Programming
Engineering


Standing for Expressive Electronic Kinetic Instrument, X.E.K.I. is a digital musical instrument that incorporates physical motion and movement into its playing. Its aim is to bring a physicality to live shows of music genres reliant on digital devices.




A keyboard, a moving handle and tilt control different aspects of the soundA keyboard (Ⅰ), tilt (Ⅱ) and a sliding handle (Ⅲ) control different aspects of the sound.

Incorporating elements from the piano, the trombone and the violin, X.E.K.I. is a handheld instrument that is shoulder-mount. It provides three levels of control which include an alternative keyboard interface, an horizontally moving handle and vertical rotation of the instrument’s body. Two additional pushbuttons on the sides of the handle enable octave changing and act as a “shift” of the moving handle effect when held down at the same time.



While originally built around an Android smartphone based on the concept of reusability, its use of the MIDI protocol through a microcontroller makes it possible to modify for a variety of setups. It can be used as a standalone instrument using the smartphone’s specifications or wirelessly connect to a DAW through the microcontroller for a wider selection of modularity.






Github Repository - Technical Details
 Documentation
II I III