Using Turntables to Control Computers

A recent Picasso exhibit at the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane, Australia used a turntable interface as an additional control for a touchscreen based interactive music piece. The pairing of old and new turned out to be a huge hit, and acted as a very intuitive, easy to use setup. Yet another interesting example of the trend towards a reversion to chunky analog, physical controls for digital processes.

The Cool Hunter reports:

Co-ordinated by GoMA’s Multimedia Designer, Aidan Robertson and calling on the skills of both the gallery’s exhibitions team and post production company Cutting Edge’s Interactive Designer, Dan Treichel, the brilliance of the turntables lies in the linking of a platter taken from a Numark HDX deck with an intuitive touchscreen. As the platter spins, the user is able to manipulate a range of adjustable filters onscreen to build, rearrange and reinvent the MP3 songs on the drive. While relatively easy to pick up and play, the turntables also possess a steady learning curve, letting the more committed and ambitious users create works of intimidating aural dexterity.

Thus Robertson, Treichel and their collaborators managed to weave together the practicality of both old and new, keeping the tactile response of the high-torque HDX platter but matching it to the easy access of media and filters provided by a touchscreen. By doing so, they created a compelling experience and in the process made the touchscreen-turntables an unexpected star of the exhibition.

The Cool Hunter: “Touchscreen Turntables”