Sonic Devices - Norm Scott

Penumbra (2020)
PENUMBRA is an interactive, multi-user sound installation. Chance and random factors combine with movement, rhythm, deep listening, fellowship, and the funk to produce minimal or complex soundscapes.

Eight “trajectories” hang down from the sky. By pulling on one, a sound is activated; a note, a drum, a squawk or whistle. Each trajectory makes a different sound, each part of an interrelated “orbit”, with names like Bones, Wave, Luna, and Honk. Every few minutes the device undergoes a phase shift and enters the next orbit, with a completely new palette of sounds.

In this documentation video, we witness three woodland critters who have emerged from the neon infinity forest to realize the true potential of Penumbra as a playable musical instrument.
The Interruptor (2018)

Purpose-built MIDI controller for machine aided scratching. Replaces the crossfader for today's discerning turntablist.

When I was first interested in scratching, about 20 years ago, I couldn't afford a fancy DJ mixer or anything like that. I realized... and yes, this is an oversimplification... that when DJ's are flicking the crossfader back and forth, they are using it essentially as an on-and-off button. So I made my own "poor man's crossfader" by wiring a cable that went from the turntable to the stereo, with a pushbutton switch right in the middle. It was clicky and a little crackly and impossible to do crabs or any fast moves.

Over the years this device has evolved into the Interruptor, a 4-switch MIDI-controller version of the original. The roller switches allow for much more sensitive finger action and they can each be mapped to a separate track in Ableton Live, providing varying levels of automatic flares/crabs (16th notes, 32nd notes, triplets, etc.)

Penumbra (2020)

Penumbra (2020)

The Interruptor (2018)

The Interruptor (2018)