- Courses
- Intro to Instrument Design
Introduction to Instrument Design Based on Arduino Microcontroller
Kacper Ziemianin
Kacper Ziemianin a.k.a. ‘Ctrl Freq’ has background in classical music and a lot of adventures in modern sound and music. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sonic Arts from Middlesex University, London and Master’s degree in Sonology at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, the Netherlands.
Currently based in the Hague, NL working as a freelance instrument designer and performer as well as teacher of DIY electronics. His latest endeavour, the ‘LightSeq’ has received funding from Stimuleringsfonds NL and won an award at an international electronic music festival ‘Radical dB’ in Zaragoza, Spain. His works have been presented in many places across the globe.
Introduction to Instrument Design based on Arduino Microcontroller is a 12-week course of live online classes taught by Kacper Ziemianin a.k.a. ‘Ctrl Freq’ in partnership with Music Hackspace.
It offers a step-by-step introduction to musical instrument building using Arduino. We'll start by exploring sensors, differentiating between analog and digital signals, and understanding essential electronic components. As we delve deeper, we'll touch upon audio topics like synthesis, sampling and filtering.
Participants will then learn to program their Arduino to control small motors, robotic parts, speakers and LEDs, and put them together to design a musical instrument. Towards the end, everyone will have a chance to design and showcase their own instrument, applying all they've learned.
Join us to learn the basics of Arduino, explore sound creation, and craft your own electronic instrument in a simple and engaging way.
NB: This course requires you to purchase some additional materials in order to make your instrument. They are all available at very low cost and we will provide you with links to purchase each component from China.
What You'll Learn
- General introduction to Arduino and Programming
- Including Sensors in an Arduino Project
- Working with Electronic Components
- Challenge: Build a Light Switch
- Introduction to Audio Synthesis
- Sampling, Filtering & Introduction to DSP
- Processing Input data
- Challenge: Build Your First Instrument
- Diverse Outputs - From Sound to Light
- Introduction to Actuators
- Instrument Design Principles
- Final Challenge: Instrument Showcase
Introduction to Instrument Design will consist of:
- 12 x 2 hour live online classes
- All classes recorded for use (during the course only)
- Interactive group challenges
- Music Hackspace Graduate Certificate of Excellence
- 50% discount on your first year subscription to Music Hackspace
This course is for anyone who wants to explore their creativity further with instrument design
What level is this?
No previous knowledge or experience is necessary but some experience with any form of music creation or software can be useful.
What do I need to get started?
Laptop with installed Arduino IDE & USB cable to connect to Arduino
Arduino board (standard model such as Uno or Nano)
A breadboard & jumper wires kit
Sensors suitable for Arduino (temperature, light, pressure, etc.)
Basic electronic components: resistors, capacitors, diodes, etc.
Sound processing components: speakers, microphone module, etc.
Multimeter (optional)