SoundByte (2024)

In our project Soundscape 2030, we envision the future of audio electronics in a collaborative project with Creative Technologies. I propose the rise of music content creators and create SoundByte, an audio mixer controller meant to allow young creators to create professional sounding music while just using their phones, all while retaining the finesse found in tactile interfaces.

Preliminary Sketch

Rather than a typical sound mixer that is a standalone product, I conceptualized the SoundByte to be connected to the user's phone. That way, the phone can be used as a screen while the mixer acts as a "controller".

While there are many sound mixing applications on phones available in the market, professionals still turn to tactile sound mixers due to the ability to "feel" the controls better. This sort of finesse cannot be found in sound mixing apps on phones because of the small screen size. Hence, I wanted to give users the best of both world, allowing for better control as well as having portability.

Microphone as well as other design considerations relating to the attaching of the controller to the phone.

In addition, I realised that many sound mixers do not have their own built-in or accompanying microphone. Since this product promotes portability, I figured that having an a microphone in the mixer would streamline the process of recording and mixing music. This microphone would be removable with a clip that can be attached to the user's clothes for hands-free recording.

User journey

For a more extensive review of this project, please view my Creative Process Journal

SoundByte Creative Process Journal.pdf

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