Wii Controlled Interactive Music – Groovit

At the beginning of 2010 I finished work on a completely new version of the software that is designed to be played using Nintendo Wii game controllers, and dance mats. This version is aimed more at giving able non-musicians the opportunity to make music, as well as providing a physical and mental exercise environment. It also has a social aspect, as two to six players are needed to operate the system.

Performance window

Unlike games such as Guitar Hero, the Groovit software is designed to be more like a musical instrument – rather than triggering off musical patterns or samples, the users play notes or sounds by tilting the controller and pressing the trigger. The software makes sure that the notes played are part of a scale, so everything fits together musically, and the scale is changed by one of the players using a small keyboard. An awareness of simple chord changes helps, but isn’t necessary.

Other buttons on the controller are used for scratching the sound, starting and stopping a pattern generator (sequencer), switching patterns and sounds, and shifting the pitch of the scale up and down.

There are four voices, each of which has a sample player voice and a synthesiser voice as well as a pattern sequencer. Although the voices can play any sounds, they are normally arranged as drums, percussion and bass, and two lead lines. There is also a voice channel for a vocalist.

Players window

The software is designed as a performance instrument, and so it isn’t possible to record and edit a performance in the programme. It does however include a small audio recorder which allows the multitrack recording of a performance that can then be edited and produced in a normal audio workstation such as Cubase or Logic.

Here’s a short video of Michael Snaith trying out the software.

Fast Tube by Casper

Eventually, this version will also be modified into a simpler version for use as part of the special educational needs project.