NoDesign + IRCAM's collective sequencer explores music through connected technologies

NoDesign’s authentic 21st century boombox ‘coloop’ is a distributed and collective musical instrument, a sequencer. it is capable of composing, memorizing and performing real or synthesized sounds thanks to a powerful device that plays acoustic tones. up to eight people can simultaneously operate the sequencer through the web application on their smartphones.

all-in-one sequencer: volume, amplification, eight full-range speakers and bass-reflex
all images © NoDesign

an instrument to share amongst musicians, parisan based studio NoDesign‘s ‘coloop’ changes the experience, the listening and the action of collective music. several ways of using it — it works with all smartphones and can be used in several different ways, each of these scenarios makes the user’s smartphone interact with a particular function. to each play one instrument of a popular song, or to compose a song as a group through the use of a powerful sequencer. no need to download an app in order to use it because it all takes place on the phone’s web browser, thanks to the IRCAM and web audio technologies.

cross-platform compatible — can be played using up to eight smartphones at the same time

‘coloop’ is a research and design project with the support of the agence nationale de recherche, designed by NoDesign and IRCAM. born from the CoSiMa project in response to a call for proposals from the national agency for research, ‘coloop’ is part of a powerful movement that, over the past ten years, has seen the relationship of media and instruments with users and their environment evolve through the emergence of tangible interfaces, augmented reality and ambient web.

the ‘coloop’ collective sequencer is highly powerful: 160 W

its goal is to explore this new relationship through new exclusive interfaces and collaborative creative tools, based on the latest smartphone and web technologies. ‘coloop’ has been nominated for the ‘label de l’observeur du design‘ rewarding french designers and innovative companies. the reward is promoted abroad by world design organization. the awards ceremony will take place on tuesday december 5th at the centre pompidou.

‘coloop’ has a custom circular LED screen displaying the full collaborative composition created by the players

the collaborative product is a powerful 44-cm-high sequencer with a 30-cm-diameter

the ‘coloop’ has an alveolar structure

it includes air vent for the four digital amplifiers

aluminium rotary central and only button for controlling volume and playing modes

its goal is to explore this new relationship through new exclusive interfaces and collaborative creative tools

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom