Screenshot of the demonstration video.
The Leap Motion MIDI Controller is a New Interface for Musical Expression (NIME), developed as part of my bachelor thesis. Building upon the Glove FM prototype, this project aimed to enhance its functionality by drawing inspiration from the Theremin—one of the earliest electronic musical instruments.
The primary challenge was to design an intuitive and expressive interface with effective gesture-based controls and mappings. This was accomplished through a comprehensive literature review spanning art, music, human-computer interaction, and NIME design, alongside comparative studies of the Theremin and the Glove FM prototype. Iterative user testing further refined the interface, ensuring accessibility and usability for a wide range of musical applications.
The final result is a versatile, gesture-based MIDI controller that offers greater flexibility and expanded functionality, enabling musicians to explore new dimensions of sound creation. The project received the Different Brilliant Award for innovative research in the fields of media, design and media creation.
2023, bachelor thesis, gesture-based interactive interface, MIDI controller, theremin, NIME, media research
Tools used: Leap Motion Controller, Max/MSP, Ableton