The Best of Demonstrate & Discuss 2014

I have fond memories of "show & tell" from my days as a Kindergarten teacher and student, so I decided to revive this idea for my college classes, labeling it "demonstrate & discuss" (aka D&D). The idea is to show something that you find interesting that relates to using music technology in music education, performance, composition, or music therapy, and then let the rest of the class talk about it. Sometimes the demonstrations are inspirational, while other times they're comical, regardless, they get us thinking and talking about how music tech might figure into our future musical culture. Here are my favourites from this past semester in no particular order:

1. Beat Blox

BEAT BLOX from Per Holmquist on Vimeo.

Beat Blox exhibited at Beckmans College of Design from Per Holmquist on Vimeo.

More about Beat Blox: 
http://www.wired.com/2014/09/arduino-powered-turntables-that-turn-djing-into-childs-play/#slide-id-1535321

It is worth noting that since this initial discussion, we found some similar interfaces out there...

Turntable Step Sequencer by Tim Pulver:

Turntable Step Sequencer from Tim Pulver on Vimeo.

Sound Radar by Jonas Wedelstadt:

Sound Radar || Design of Physical and Virtual Interfaces || FHP Design from Jonas Wedelstädt on Vimeo.

2. Speaking Piano

3. The AlphaSphere

4. Reactable

5. Speech Jammer

6. Otamatone

7. Molecule Synth

8. 4-track Cassette as Sampling Instrument (my favourite of the bunch)