beatBox
A drum machine you play by casting shadows.
beatBox is a light-controlled mechanical drum machine. Cast a shadow over its light sensors and an algorithmic drum pattern triggers small motors, which tap on objects inside the box to make the sound. Two sliders control tempo and swing — delaying every other beat for a looser feel.
The pattern etched into the top, surrounding the sensors, is generative visuals coded in Processing.
beatBox Penta swaps the drum hits for a xylophone, playable with the same light-and-shadow interface. Shown at the Museum of Boulder's Google Garage alongside Aesthetic Algorithms.
beatBox DIY is built modular, so the instruments inside can be swapped out. Shown at Maker Made at Canyon Gallery, curated by BLDG 61, the Boulder Public Library makerspace.
Role
Concept, hardware, software
Shown
- Museum of Boulder, Google Garage — beatBox Penta
- Maker Made, Canyon Gallery, Boulder, CO — beatBox DIY