From Hardware-hacking to Hyper-instruments

Students in the new 22/23 course, MUSI318: From Hardware-hacking to Hyper-instruments gave their final performance on the 23rd of May 2023.

Photograph of student with a musical glove

These final year students at the University of Liverpool Music Department created compositions, performances and supporting technologies completely of their own imaginative designs. No limitations on genre or style were imposed, just that these elements should be integrated wholly in a creative work.

Photograph of a plant wired to a laptop

This video shows some amazing examples including Esme Thomas’ audio responsive plants, Jake Weinreichs’ extended launchpad, Alex Lowe’s surround sound gloves, Katie Ann-King’s hardware hacked speaking toy, Seamus Thomas’ hacked keyboard, Charlie Steven’s hacked video boards, Isaac Ashfields hyper-drumsticks (drummers you need these!), Xianyi Wang’s integration of a hacked radio, Millie Apperly played the insides of a radio by touch and Angus Snowdon’s extended guitar.

Photograph of a student with circuitry

If you would like to know more about the undergraduate course and degree head over to Undergraduate Degrees in Music - If you are interested in postgraduate research in this area get in touch with the department!

But also, if you are interested in working with these amazing young artists do get in touch - they are awesome!