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'Haptic Drumkit' Vibrates Potential Tommy Lees, Assists Wicked Drum Solos

by Ben Deitz on February 1, 2010 at 08:22 AM

haptic drumkitLearning an instrument can be a long, difficult process, requiring years of dedication. The 'Haptic Drum Kit', shown at MIT's Fourth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded and Embodied Interaction, intends to streamline and improve the learning, getting musicians up and drumming in no time. Using both audio and vibrotactile (read: buzzing the wearer) input, the player not only hears the noise of the kit as he or she pounds away, but feels it too.

The drum kit, designed by the UK-based e-Sense Project, uses four computer-controlled pulse generating devices to improve a drummer's rhythmic timing and coordination. e-Sense designs other "sensory augmentation devices" as well, including the MusicJacket, a tool for teaching violin players proper form, and the Third Eye, a mini CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) camera worn on a ring that converts images into vibratory stimulation -- which has an unclear purpose, but promises to be a popular stocking stuffer for up-skirt photographers around the world.

Only time will tell if the system continues to work sans sensory input, or if it can help one's ability to play a nasty solo while being hung upside down in a cage. We urge e-Sense to design a 'Guitar Hero' training tool that will let us finally beat "Through the Flame and Fire" on expert. [From: eSense Project, via PSFK]

Tags: DrumKit, drummer, drumming, haptic, haptic feedback, HapticFeedback, music, musical instruments, MusicalInstruments, MusicTraining, top

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