Sound Based Sensors for NIMEs

This paper examines the use of Sound Sensors and audio as input material for New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIMEs), exploring the unique affordances and character of the interactions and instruments that leverage it. Examples of previous work in the literature that use audio as sensor input data are examined for insights into how the use of Sound Sensors provides unique opportunities within the NIME context. We present the results of a user study comparing sound-based sensors to other sensing modalities within the context of controlling parameters. The study suggests that the use of Sound Sensors can enhance gestural flexibility and nuance but that they also present challenges in accuracy and repeatability.