Mapping transparency through metaphor: towards more expressive musical instruments

  • Authors:
  • Sidney Fels;Ashley Gadd;Axel Mulder

  • Affiliations:
  • Human Communication Technologies Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 2356 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada E-mail: ssfels@ece.ubc.ca, gadd@ece.ubc.ca;Human Communication Technologies Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 2356 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada E-mail: ssfels@ece.ubc.ca, gadd@ece.ubc.ca;Infusion Systems Inc., P.O. Box 16178, North Vancouver, BC B7J 3S9, Canada E-mail: mulder@infusionsystems.com

  • Venue:
  • Organised Sound
  • Year:
  • 2002

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Abstract

We define a two-axis transparency framework that can be used as a predictor of the expressivity of a musical device. One axis is the player's transparency scale, while the other is the audience's transparency scale. Through consideration of both traditional instruments and new technology-driven interfaces, we explore the role that metaphor plays in developing expressive devices. Metaphor depends on a literature, which forms the basis for making transparent device mappings. We examine four examples of systems that use metaphor: Iamascope, Sound Sculpting, MetaMuse and Glove-TalkII; and discuss implications on transparency and expressivity. We believe this theory provides a framework for design and evaluation of new human–machine and human–human interactions, including musical instruments.