Pipe Dream 2000

Submitted by Dan on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 01:16

Assignment: Synthesis: Music Instrument (group work)

Collaborators:

Collaborators: mohit, mila

Concept

Pipe Dream 2000 is a fusion of physics, plumbing, and whimsy—an unassuming model of everyday objects reconfigured for action.  By swinging the pipes, users activate the musical fantasy that lurks within Pipe Dream 2000's plumbing.  But once it takes on a life of its own—can they stop it?

Each pipe represents a musical note on the instrument's scale.  Coordinated groups can play the Pipe Dream 2000 like an instrument, or individuals can set the pipes swinging like pendula.  A photocell manipulates the octave of the music being played.

But no pipe odyssey would be complete without a foray into the world of rhythm.  As users approach the metronome, Pipe Dream 2000's groovy alter-ego is activated and a new side is released.

Video

N.B. if embedded video is not available, please try this link for direct access.

Materials

  • Lots of pipe
  • 2 sonar distance sensors
  • 1 photocell
  • 1 potentiometer
  • Arduino

Code

(see attached)