Teabox

[ just adding old posts from previous Pixelsumo site ]

Something I’ve been looking at a lot lately is taking external input via sensors into Max/MSP or Processing for installation work. This will enable me to completely hide any kind of computer interface and use light sensors, touch sensors etc, to affect the audio and visuals of a space.

I have looked at hacking MIDI devices with a soldering iron to plug in some basic light sensors. The next step up from this is the I-Cube, which allows inputs and outputs via MIDI. I have also been looking at other ways of doing this kind of work, such as using a BX-24 chip, MakingThings ready-built plugin modules, Hernando’s thesis project Wiring (which isn’t available to purchase yet) and MidiTron. There are three problems that I face with many of these, either they are too expensive for a poor artist to buy, they require a lot more electronics knowledge than I really want to acquire or are using a MIDI interface.

I’ve recently stumbled upon Teabox by Electrotap, which hopefully will fill that void. It uses an audio channel input (instead of MIDI) so you have a low latency (delay) between receiving data. It also has 24 inputs, a robust casing for transport, cables that can lock into place and can be extended. It has an initial price of $350 (£195) and they are bringing out a range of sensors (although it will work with most existing ones). It sounds very promising and I look forward to trying one out when it is released this fall.

teabox

Teabox pages
Electrotap Blog

Posted on October 11th 2004 under Physical Computing