What is it ?

“Ghost in the Piano” is an interactive installation exploring acoustic sound generation (through the piano strings and sound board), various timbres (percussive, atonal, harmonics) alongside analogue style step sequencing and synthesis. The installation was commissioned by theNational Science and Media museum as part of the “Boom – Experiments in sound” exhibition on the history and future of music technology. Soloman Burt designed and coded a unique arduino based sequencer and sample engine based on the Mozzi platform that runs the installation.

How does it work ?

The motors along the front of the piano mechanically excite the strings to create different sounds, rhythms, textures and timbres using various objects such as metal chains and plastic. A built in synthesiser based on the Roland SH-101 creates ambient textures, drones and acid lines. The whole instrument is sequenced by a generative step sequencer creating melodies and textures controlled using an ipad, hardware sequencer or machine learning – the machine effectively listening to itself.