Being a composer, I relate to existing instruments that have been developed over a long period of time, often centuries, to achieve their sound qualities and technical stability. I have an expectation to how instruments should sound and react to my music; I’m searching for some kind of predictability in that sense.
I think most of us have the same expectation to electronic or digital instruments, even though they are not developed over the same time span as most acoustic instruments.
When the instrument doesn’t exist, other than the idea of it, a craftsman or luthier has to build the instrument. And sometimes that luthier happens to be the composer.
I like to build stuff..
The development of the FLAPIBox is a natural way for me to create a reliable platform for integrating electronic sound into acoustic instruments. When composing a piece of music, I always search for that element that gives some kind of risk: Something I have never tried before, an instrument that doesn’t «fit in», randomising one or more musical parameters, using a different method than what I normally do, or a technical rig that I build myself.
The FLAPIBox is a long-term DIY project that gives me the opportunity to learn new skills and at the same time develop my voice as a composer.
This page shows the timeline of the FLAPIBox development from a prelimenary study, through three prototypes towards the latest version. The development is described in detail in two papers for The International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME).
BrassBellMic:
-was first made to test whether a piezo disc could work adequately as a microphone for euphonium, excluding feedback challenges (Møster 2021).
Besides developing the hardware of the FLAPIBox, a selection of peripherals were developed. Both store-bought sollutions and prototypes are described in this section.
FluteFootSpeaker:
Besides developing the hardware of the FLAPIBox, a bass flute foot speaker has been made. A piece, "søvnen - for bass flute and electronics" make use of this speaker.
3D printed parts (from left): 1) Foot, spring and tube 2) Ring for testing diameter 3) Ring becomes tray with 4 spring-loaded feet
One of eight euphonium mouthpiece speakers developed by Geir Davidsen for Tuba/Me/Room. This has been modified to fit the foot of a bass flute
Module Based Thranophone:
Based on the Thranophone (Hjalmarsson 2024), it is a preliminary study of the FLAPIBox. The purpose was to understand signal path and to be able to easily alter components. In this prosess a 3D-printed euphonium mouthpiece with a piezo element was made.
Foot joint mounted in speaker bottom and glued. Loudspeaker fitted, membrane pointing downwards. All parts 3D-printed
Breadboard Prototype:
The breadboard prototype is based on a Raspberry Pi 4 and two different ways of controlling it: Potentiometers with adc and digital rotary encoders. These systems works independent of eachother. The prototype uses two 5v DC power supplies, one for the amplifiers and one for the Raspberry. A step up converter take care of the higher voltage fore the power amplifier.
Prototype #1:
The prototype #1 is a soldered version of the breadboard prototype. Controllers are digital rotary encoders and there is added a LCD screen for visual feedback. It houses a Raspberry Pi 4B and runs the same software as the breadboard prototype (Max RNBO and Python for encoders/LCD).
Prototype #2:
Because of Bela mini's setup, technically the prototype #2 is less complicated. Since Bela mini provides 59dB gain, a pre amplifier is not needed. There is still two power sources, one for the Bela mini and one for the power amplifier. The prototype #2 has two microphone inputs, but both are not connected at the same time. The 10K potentiometer controlls the output volume
FLAPIBox 2024:
The housing is made of 3D printed PLA and measures 184 x 117,5 x 77mm. The top panel is fitted with an OLED screen, 6 potentiometers, 8 push-buttons, one rocker-switch and 7 LED-lights. The left side has two mini jack inputs for microphones, two USB micro and one USB-A input. The right side has two mini jack outputs for loudspeakers.
The hardware design is based around the Bela Mini system and a XH-M190 2x100W power amplifier and is mainly battery operated.
Full technical description in paper #2
