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Surface electromyography for direct vocal control

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conference contribution
posted on 2025-01-22, 13:58 authored by Courtney ReedCourtney Reed, Andrew P. McPherson
This paper introduces a new method for direct control using the voice via measurement of vocal muscular activation with surface electromyography (sEMG). Digital musical interfaces based on the voice have typically used indirect control, in which features extracted from audio signals control the parameters of sound generation, for example in audio to MIDI controllers. By contrast, focusing on the musculature of the singing voice allows direct muscular control, or alternatively, combined direct and indirect control in an augmented vocal instrument. In this way we aim to both preserve the intimate relationship a vocalist has with their instrument and key timbral and stylistic characteristics of the voice while expanding its sonic capabilities. This paper discusses other digital instruments which effectively utilise a combination of indirect and direct control as well as a history of controllers involving the voice. Subsequently, a new method of direct control from physiological aspects of singing through sEMG and its capabilities are discussed. Future developments of the system are further outlined along with usage in performance studies, interactive live vocal performance, and educational and practice tools.

History

School

  • Loughborough University, London

Published in

Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME-20)

Pages

458 - 463

Publisher

NIME

Version

  • VoR (Version of Record)

Rights holder

© the authors

Publication date

2020-06-01

Copyright date

2020

ISSN

2220-4792

eISSN

2220-4806

Language

  • en

Editor(s)

Romain Michon ; Franziska Schroeder

Location

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Event dates

21st July 2020 - 25th July 2020

Depositor

Dr Courtney Reed. Deposit date: 6 June 2024

Article number

88

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