Movesense

German dancer and choreographer Carlos Strasser is using Movesense sensors in his upcoming production to allow the dancer to control the music through movement.

In this video clip from a rehearsal, the dancer is wearing three sensors, two on the arms and one on the leg. The right arm controls a processed voice sound along the x-axis. For example, lifting the arm upwards changes the sound character. The left arm fades percussion elements in and out, also mapped along the x-axis through vertical movement.

On the left leg, a sensor is used to trigger a plucked synth sound via acceleration. The notes are quantized to a predefined scale, so everything stays in tune.

The video shows one of several “sound characters” Strasser is working with. Each dancer has an individual movement quality, and Strasser is composing a specific sonic character for each dancer so they feel comfortable and supported while improvising.

- In addition to the music controlled by the dancer through the sensors, there is a subtle synthesized soundscape in the background that runs independently. This gives the dancer a stable musical environment to “hold on to” and allows the sensor-driven sounds to interact with something that is already present, Strasser explains.

- Exploring this new territory is both technically and artistically challenging, but also very rewarding. Especially when everything aligns and the dancers become noticeably free and confident in their movement. As both a dancer and a musician, I see great potential in this technology and am excited to continue developing it, says Strasser.