Instrument Gallery — Joseph Kramer

Sister, 2011

This is a hacked USB Playstation-type game controller. The four analog controls of the two joysticks were replaced by potentiometers connected to custom-made pulley systems that allow rings on strings to travel the length of an arm extending forward from the chest.

The buttons were brought out on custom switches made of aluminum and finishing nails.

All interfacing is done in a Max/MSP Patch that converts the Human Interface data provided by the original circuitry into custom MIDI messages.

This instrument was designed for a performance by Coppice at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, IL. Its design was intended to compliment the materials of the Baschet Brothers’ Aluminum Piano, the featured instrument of the performance. Subsequent performances with Sister happened on tour with Quarry House. My sister, Meg Kramer, used the instrument to perform samples and manipulations of her live vocal performance.

Link to Design Gallery

Photograph by Nathan Keay, 2017

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