Bertie
The Bone Conductive Instrument
A sound-generating listening device that ALLOWS users to hear through their bones
intuitively accessible to
anything with a skeleton
Outfitted with the functionality of a familiar electronic instrument, the Bone Conductive Instrument is an interactive device amplified and supported by bone conduction. Equipped with bone and air conductive transducers and haptic feedback outputs, Bertie wirelessly sends sound signals through the jaw that vibrate the individual resonant frequencies of the body. This way, the Bone Conductive Instrument can provide a fully immersive, multi-sensory experience. Those with mixed hearing loss may hear, play, and learn a new and never-before-seen instrument and listening device.
an inclusive and innovative instrument for users across the hearing spectrum to interact with sound
Bertie wirelessly sends sound signals through the jaw that vibrate the individual resonant frequencies of the body. Amplified and supported by bone conduction, Bertie evokes a physiological response to sonic vibration. By transmitting sound waves through the jaw, the Bone Conductive Instrument encourages those with mixed hearing loss to experiment with the various resonant frequencies of the body. Not only does Bertie facilitate the solo practice and performance of an instrument, but it also provides insight into how the body processes a variety of sonic information.
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For a musician, a significant tactile dimension is present in the vibration of an instrument against the body. An organic shape with the functionality of a familiar electronic instrument, Bertie is intuitive to play and comfortable to hold. Light yet durable, the Bone Conductive Instrument is a portable device designed to fit all bodies. The instrument’s simple user interface invites players to press and slide the two analog sensors alongside LED indicators, as if shifting hand positions on a classical stringed instrument. The hollow interior acts as a resonating chamber that reverberates throughout the body to promote a sense of connection and cohesion.
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Bertie uses commercial products and open source technologies to amplify and transform the experience of bodily resonances. The battery-powered, Bluetooth-enabled instrument features a bone conduction transducer module, built-in air conduction speaker, and haptic feedback to provide a fully immersive experience. Layered linear soft potentiometers and force-sensitive resistors detect precise changes in positional and pressure data to wirelessly send a MIDI line out over WiFi. While laterally sliding one sensor modulates the tonal shifts in the instrument’s output, pressure on the other sensor results in changes in velocity, harmonics, and dynamic filtering effects.
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Bertie creates new possibilities for everyone to explore the physicality of resonance and sound synthesis. Since only the player can hear the sounds they generate, the emphasis of the instrument lies in the process of interaction and experimentation. Outfitted with a volume knob that can be clicked for mode selection, the Bone Conductive Instrument offers variations in waveform type, pitch range, and filtering effects. Players can master expressivity by manipulating the timbre and modulation of drone-like chords, or program virtually any sound from any bluetooth-compatible device. As a digital musical instrument, Bertie allows for unlimited possibilities for infinite methods of play.
Submitted for a Masters of Professional Studies, 2021. Interactive Telecommunications Program, New York University (NYU ITP). Documentation by Christopher Garcia Valle.
