Glowphonic is an interactive digital musical instrument that combines touch, motion, and visual feedback into a sculptural, expressive performance interface. Built inside a cherry blossom lampshade, its glowing petals play musical notes, respond to gestures, and pulse with light based on both user touch and audio amplitude.
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12-Key Capacitive Touch Petals
Touch-sensitive petals mapped to notes across two keyboard octaves, triggering sounds in Max/MSP. -
6-DOF IMU (Accelerometer + Gyroscope)
Tilting forward modulates the tremolo effect of the played sample in real-time. -
Slide Potentiometer
Adjusts keyboard volume dynamically in Max/MSP. -
Ultrasonic Distance Sensor
Controls sample loop speed—closer hand proximity causes faster repetition. -
Lighting Feedback (NeoPixel Strip)
An ESP32 receives serial data from Max and blinks LEDs in response to either touch or amplitude spikes.
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Sensor Input:
An Arduino Nano reads sensor values (touch, IMU, slider, distance) and sends data to Max/MSP via serial USB. -
Data Processing & Sound Generation:
Max/MSP receives and maps sensor input to musical parameters (note triggers, tremolo, volume, etc.). -
Visual Output:
Max sends trigger messages to an ESP32-S3 via serial. The ESP32 flashes a 60-pixel NeoPixel strip when data is received, syncing lights to gesture or beat.