Knurl
Knurl
Knurl is an instrument-interface exploring concepts of interactivity and polyphony in the practice of a bowed string instrument. It is a creation of the composer and cellist Rafaele Andrade, it runs and modifies live synthesis sounds while autonomous and interactive systems can influence it. Knurl can be considered:
Sensor-based string instrument:
The strings become a trigger to play, stop, plan or set controllers for sound
Multiple voice control interface:
The ability to control multiple voices determining different goals, agent and controllers for each sound
Semi-Autonomous instrument:
The ability to cooperate with its context and readapt into its boundaries
The instrument strings are sensor based: when the performed touches the string, it triggers also an event ( such as play, stop, pause or set parameters for a specific sound). These events can be constantly mapped and configurated by the faders placed on the frame part of the instrument. The interface manages this system and with it, the performer can control and maintain up to 6 sounds channels by changing sliders and pressing the strings.
The instrument's sound design concept expand and explores the tartini psychoacoustic effect upon the 31 TET tuning system (the tuning system of its 16 strings). The effect becomes stronger and unique through the combinations of the mutliple strings triggered by a circular bow design specially for the different set of strings of the instrument (2023/2024)
In addition, Knurl is a platform to experiment interactive systems between its public and other musicians, since it has an the ability to receive and interpret information from its network conection via OSC (Open sound control). Few examples in some projects has shown this example in practice, such as the performances "This isn't solo" or "Hello world".
To read the complete story of this project and research, feel welcome to read my master research available at Research catalogue