The Radio Baton as Configurable Musical Instrument and Controller

The Max Mathews’ Radio Baton (RB) has usually been applied as an orchestra conducting system, as interactive music composition controller using typical percussionist gestures, and as a controller for sound synthesis models. In the framework of the Sounding Object EU founded project, the RB has found new applications scenarios. Three applications were based on this controller. This was achieved by changing the gesture controls. Instead of the default batons, a new radio transmitter based on a thimble that fits the fingertips was developed. This new transmitter allows musicians’ interaction based on hand gestures and it can also fit different devices. The RB and the thimble-based transmitter are used for the control of apd model implementing DJ scratching techniques. This new configuration of the RB allows DJs a direct control of sampled sounds maintaining hand gestures similar to those used on vinyl. In another application the sound model of a bodhran was controlled with a traditional playing approach. In this case the RB can be controlled with a traditional bodhran double beater with one thimble radio transmitter fitted at each end. This allows detection of the beater position on the RB surface, the surface corresponding to the membrane of the bodhran in the sound model. In a third application the thimble controller was used to move a virtual ball rolling along the elastic surface of a box placed over the receiving antennae of the RB.