Best in Show • Best Physical Model • People's Choice Runner Up
C2P's Innovation in Design Award
Humber College Thesis Show 2017
Final Model
In all it's glory
Final Design
The breakdown.
Harmony is a contemporary approach to music therapy for youth with Autism.
The device acts as a sampler which requires audio/ vocal input to begin to form music.
The two-sided body and on-board functions easily lends itself to a social, two user experience which boosts sociability and communication, while providing a fun, engaging learning experience of music production through the use of sample pads, sequencer, FX modules and tactile speaker panel.
Harmony functionality is divided into two individual surfaces and a shared console.
The two individual surfaces consist of...
• 6 Recordable & Playable Sample Buttons + Sample Clearer (Trash)
• 2 Inductive Effect Active Circle Pads
• Wooden Speaker Panel
• Volume Dial
• Headphone Jack
These functions are equally divided on either the warm-toned side and the cool-toned side. While the sides are identical in functionality, the LEDs differ providing different feelings depending on the primary user’s preference.
Sample Buttons
101
The sample buttons have two simple functions.
1. When unlit, pressing the button records until pressed again. (or up to 3 sec)
2. When lit up, pressing the button plays the recorded audio clip once.
The microphone is shared in the middle and is able to reach either side via the gooseneck mount.
Before recording, either user must ask for the microphone to bring it to their side to use, which encourages communication and sharing.
Before recording, either user must ask for the microphone to bring it to their side to use, which encourages communication and sharing.
For the cool-toned side, recorded audio features colours such as blue, purple and green.
The warm-toned side features colours such as orange, yellow and red.
The warm-toned side features colours such as orange, yellow and red.
When holding down the trash button, whichever sample button is pressed down with it gets deleted, as indicated via red light.
Vibration Speaker
Feel the sound
The wooden ‘speaker panel’ located under the device diffuses the vibration from a vibration speaker located in the middle back to individually customize sound levels per side and provide a tactile stimulatory experience for those who are unable or not comfortable to fully participate yet.
Modular Effect Modules
Taking the sounds to the next level
Sitting neatly underneath both handles of the main body are 4 different modular inductive effect modules.
These modules can be used once the users have gotten more comfortable with the device and are ready to try and learn something new.
They can be used on either side of the device by simply placing them in the white cups of the main body.
These modules can be used once the users have gotten more comfortable with the device and are ready to try and learn something new.
They can be used on either side of the device by simply placing them in the white cups of the main body.
One placed inside, the internal light of the module will turn on and now whichever sample is played will be modified by that module!
The 4 different effects to choose from are Volume/ Tone, Arpeggiator, Flanger, and Delay and two can be used at the same time on either side.
They can be used to effect the samples live or while recording.
They can be used to effect the samples live or while recording.
The groove design on the effect modules simulate the effect it has on the sound as a form of sensory stimulation and indication.
The grooves remain transparent and are lit up when activated and adjusted.
Their other main function is for ergonomic use of using the groove for easy grip to pick up the modules.
USB Charging & Saving
Two-in-one!
On one side of the console lies the USB port of the device. The port doubles as a charging port for the internal battery and data transfer to output the loop to a USB stick via the silicone USB button.
Allows the user to save the memory of the interaction they had that day, and maybe even jam out to it later!
Allows the user to save the memory of the interaction they had that day, and maybe even jam out to it later!
Tap Tempo Pad
Go to the beat of your own drum
Above the charging/ data transfer port is the silicone tap tempo adjuster.
Either user is able to speed up or slow down the tempo depending on the BPM of their tapping.
Volume & Headphones
You know your limits
Volume dials are located on either end of the device, giving individual control on volume preference.
The volume control adjusts either the speaker panel or headphones if plugged in.
Sequencer Buttons
101
The sequencer is essentially the arrangement of the sample sounds.
It's a 2-bar loop that can be added to by...
1. Pressing the record button on the console
2. Playing the selected samples however you’d like
3. Pressing the stop or record button again to end
The sequence can then be played and stopped via the play/ stop button.
When recorded, the sequencer will light up according to the sounds placed in it.
They can then be temporarily muted/ unmuted by pressing the corresponding number, or deleted via trash clear button.
Visualizer
Where everything comes together
The visualizer is an LED visual display of what’s being played on either sequencer.
If both sounds play at the same time, it shows a balance of the sounds' volume/ frequency from both sides.
A final, simple representation of the two users coming together in harmony.
