Inertial audio effects controller: Difference between revisions

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An '''[[Inertial frame of reference|inertial]] audio effects controller''' is an electronic device that senses changes in acceleration, angular velocity and/or a magnetic field,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://howtomechatronics.com/how-it-works/electrical-engineering/mems-accelerometer-gyrocope-magnetometer-arduino/|title=MEMS Accelerometer Gyroscope Magnetometer & Arduino|date=2015-11-19|work=HowToMechatronics|access-date=2017-11-16|language=en-US}}</ref> and relays those changes to an effects controller. Transmitting the sensed data can be done via wired or wireless methods. To be of use the effects controller must be connected to an [[Effects unit|effect unit]] so that an effect can be modulated, or connected to a [[MIDI controller]] or [[musical keyboard]]. The [[Wah-wah pedal|Wah-Wah]] effect is a classic example of effect modulation.

An inertial audio effects controller can be compared with a traditional [[expression pedal]] to explain whatits it doesfunction. An inertial effects controller uses an inertial sensor to detect user directed changes, whereas a traditional expression pedal uses an electrically resistive element to detect changes. There are some advantages and disadvantages between the two. The main advantages of inertial control versus a traditional foot pedal, are an increased range of dynamic motion, remote control, finer modulation precision and software enabled features such as motion triggered [[ADSR envelope]]s and bi-directional motion control. The main disadvantages are the requirement for a power source and a more complicated setup.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.expressionpedals.com/inertial-expression |title=Inertial expression |website=www.expressionpedals.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128141209/http://www.expressionpedals.com/inertial-expression |archive-date=2018-01-28}} </ref>

Due to their functional similarity with traditional expression pedals, they have been given the informal name, 'Expression box'.

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==Availability==

Conceivably any or all of the inertial sensors ([[accelerometer]], [[gyroscope]], [[magnetometer]]), could be used for effect modulation. However, currently the only commercially available products use acceleration sensing only<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ehx.com/products/expression-pedal|title=EHX.com {{!}} Expression Pedal - Real-Time Variable Control {{!}} Electro-Harmonix|website=Electro-Harmonix|access-date=2017-11-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sourceaudio.net/products/hothand/hothand3.php|title=Hot Hand® 3|website=www.sourceaudio.net|access-date=2017-11-16|archive-date=2017-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105045412/http://www.sourceaudio.net/products/hothand/hothand3.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> or acceleration combined with angular velocity,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ozinventions.com/ |title=Home |website=ozinventions.com}}</ref> as sensed by a gyroscope.

==Future==

Inertial control of an audio device, whether wired or wireless, is a relatively recent and growing trend. as technologyTechnology advances have reduced pricing and size, as well as improved usability and performance of the core components.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.electronicproducts.com/Software/EDA_Software_and_Hardware/Thinking_outside_the_chip_for_MEMS_design_success.aspx|title=Thinking outside the chip for MEMS design success - Electronic Products|website=www.electronicproducts.com|date=16 February 2010|access-date=2017-11-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allaboutmems.com/memsapplications-wireless.html|title=allaboutmems.com - What is MEMS > MEMS Applications > MEMS in Wireless|website=www.allaboutmems.com|access-date=2017-11-16|archive-date=2017-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616000336/http://www.allaboutmems.com/memsapplications-wireless.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Specifically the core components are an inertial device called a Mirco- Electro-Mechanical-System ([[MEMs]]), a [[microcontroller]], and for wireless systems, a [[Transmitter|radio frequency transmitter]]/receiver.

== References ==