TOC ONE
TOC ONE
Music Robot System for Education, Recording & Sound Art. by Moritz Simon Geist
TOC ONE explores the sound properties of physical objects: It can be used to squeeze sound and rhythms out of almost everything - from music instruments like drums to experimental materials like metal sheets, household items or old car parts.
The robotic actuators are mounted on clamps, to be attached in a free manner to surfaces, objects and instruments. The robotic actuators are controlled by MIDI, allowing the motors and solenoids to be synchroni- zed and played with standard music systems like Ableton Live or a keyboard. Integrated high power LEDs at the actuators give a bright visual feedback about the played rhythms.
The music robot system TOC ONE explores the sound properties of physical objects. It can be used to squeeze sound and rhythms out of almost everything - from music instruments like drums to experimental materials like metal sheets, household items or old car parts.
The robotic actuators are mounted on clamps („Magic Arms“), allowing the user to attached them in a free manner to surfaces, objects and instruments. The robotic actuators are controlled by MIDI, allowing the motors and solenoids to be synchronized and played with standard music systems like Ableton Live or a keyboard. Integrated high power LEDs at the actuators give a bright visual feedback about the played rhythms.
TOC ONE was designed to be both a stage-proofed heavy duty system, at the same hand using robotics and LEDs to bring life to physical objects. In a 3-year long research process, robotic music pioneer Moritz Simon Geist developed this futuristic robotic system. It has been tested at numerous stage and installation surroundings, like the MOOG FESTIVAL, at the MIT Boston or the ELBPHILHARMONIE. Its part of the Soundlab At ars Electronic Center.
With the Version 5.0 TOC ONE finally leaves the prototyping status. It will not be sold as a product but rather given to single artists and organizations for educational and research purposes only.
EXAMPLES USAGES
Robotified drum-kit: TOC ONE can be used to play on music percussion instruments like claves, drums, sna- res automized or alongside human instrumentalists. The high-power LEDs give a visual feedback which also work on big stages.
Experimental sound: The robotic actuators and spin- wheel actuators are very well suited for experimen- ting with unusual objects like metal sheet, bicycles, kitchen and household objects or car parts.
Sampling: TOC ONE is very well in creating samples in a workshop surrounding, so that the participants can take their unique samples and rhythms home. Architecture and sound: TOC ONE an be used to explore the sound capabilities of walls, windows, cooling and heating pipings, giving another view on hidden functions in the space that surround us.