WHY?
i want to be free from any limitations within my performances. i don’t like to make sounds while only seated on a chair. i also don’t like to perform in a manner that seems desperately over-active. my aim is to emote pure feeling through sound, light, and hyper-efficient movement. the key issue this project addresses is not only wearable device development: it is to advance the debate on ‘connection’ and ‘control’ through the human body and the environment in which one lives. sound guard is a wearable device that can control sound, light, and visuals.
detailed technical
sound guard builds on my armguard controller prototype and elements of my ‘sound machine project’. sound guard uses open source hardware and software. open source initiatives bring many advantages for those involved in the maker movement.
sound guard contains two parts: a glove and a taekwondo arm guard. the glove (which i originally bought two years ago for snowboarding) has its own microphone and circuit. the condenser microphone is attached to the inside of hand (i.e., the palm). the microphone can capture sound traveling through the air or touching its surface. by moving the hand, the hand essentially catches sounds from the surrounding atmosphere while the fingers further manipulate the captured sounds. also, the glove can collect sounds from the surface of objects through direct physical contact between the glove and the objects. as for the arm guard element, it is a controller for sound and light. i designed and constructed it as a prototype with (deliberately) changeable parts. i used a universal board as a plate and attached it to the taekwondo arm guard. the universal board makes it is easy to modify the controller’s electronic elements. sound guard constantly changes through the use of different parts (i.e., sensors, knobs, LEDs, etc.), by my own body movements, by my performance style, and even the performance environment.
future developments
adding more parts to build the ultimate ‘SOUND MACHINE’
i am currently developing more controllers that connect to other body parts. with these new parts, i would be easily able to perform in any environment while also being very mobile. the SOUND MACHINE is going to be ultra-portable and versatile enough for busking in public spaces or for performing without worrying about environmental limit ions. that is the next milestone for my ongoing project.
