Form & Matter (Part 4) – TouchMe Board: Physical Interaction for Digital Stages | MMMAD Festival

Learn how to use the TouchMe board as a responsive interface for triggering sound, light, or video through touch and proximity. We’ll walk you through building interactive setups that turn the performer’s body or props into live controllers. 

Structure of the Training Session 

  1. Preparation (approx. 60 minutes)

Objective: Prepare all components and materials for a smooth and hands-on session.
Steps: 

  1. Research the TouchMe board’s capabilities and test with sound and visual outputs. 
  1. Prepare a demo patch (e.g., in TouchDesigner, Ableton Live, or another interactive platform). 
  1. Set up touch-sensitive objects (e.g., conductive fabric, ink, props, or costumes). 

Checklist: 

  • TouchMe board and USB cable tested. 
  • Compatible software installed and working (e.g., TouchDesigner, MIDI mapper). 
  • Props or objects pre-wired with conductive materials. 
  • Sample files and documentation ready. 

 

  1. Introduction to the Tool (approx. 30 minutes)

Objective: Familiarize participants with the TouchMe board and its uses in performance contexts.
Steps: 

  1. Explain the purpose of capacitive touch interaction and how the TouchMe board works. 
  1. Present examples of projects using the board for sound triggering, lighting, or video. 
  1. Show how proximity and pressure variations can be mapped to create dynamic effects. 

Trainer Tip: Use a short demo where touching different materials triggers different visuals or sounds. 

 

  1. Hands-on Practice (approx. 45 minutes)

Objective: Allow participants to experiment with setting up and mapping the board to media outputs.
Steps: 

  1. Demonstrate how to connect the TouchMe board and read values. 
  1. Guide participants to assign touch points to control audio or visual parameters. 
  1. Encourage testing with body contact or performance objects. 

Trainer Tip: Provide simple templates and one-on-one troubleshooting during mapping steps. 

 

  1. Advanced Features and Creative Use Cases (approx. 30 minutes)

Objective: Showcase advanced techniques for custom interaction designs.
Steps: 

  1. Introduce multi-touch mapping and combining with other sensors. 
  1. Present integration with wearable interfaces or spatial installations. 
  1. Discuss performance reliability and tips for designing robust interactions. 

Trainer Tip: Share video documentation of complex or theatrical examples for inspiration. 

 

  1. Wrap-Up and Feedback (approx. 15 minutes)

Objective: Review key takeaways and open discussion for creative adaptation.
Steps: 

  1. Summarize key functions and customization workflows. 
  1. Share community resources and open-source examples for future exploration. 
  1. Gather participant feedback and ideas for their own projects. 

 

Post-Training Follow-Up 

  • Distribute templates and sample projects for continued experimentation. 
  • Offer guidance on how to adapt the TouchMe board setup for different performance environments. 

Trainer Tip: Create a shared folder where participants can upload their test patches and collaborate on future installations.