AES Student Blog

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from? Where and what do you study? What audio field are you in?

Hi! I’m Lukas Lohner (24), audio-engineer student at the Institute for Music and Media (www.musikundmedien.net) at the Robert-Schumann Hochschule and University of Applied Sciences in Düsseldorf, Germany. I’m originally from Karlsruhe, Germany, but moved to Düsseldorf five years ago to study audio and video engineering with a major in jazz piano. Since I’m in Düsseldorf I do various projects and try different things - I work as a recording/assistant engineer, play piano/keyboards in different bands, compose, mix, fiddle around. I’m not really set to one particular thing, but somehow it’s all about audio and music.

Tell us about your project and its development process. What was it inspired by?

My project was inspired by a ridiculous youtube video (I think it was some viral ad or so): A very ripped man triggers several instruments by electrodes, which are attached to his muscles. So for example, when he contracts the biceps, he plays a bass drum. Of course this was faked, but I thought: that idea has potential! I wanted to build an interface, which connects digital instruments and the real world in a closer and more intuitive way than the ‘usual’ tools like knobs and sliders. It was the first time I made such a comprehensive project become reality. From the idea to the final (working) prototype it was a long, exhausting way of trying different components (Arduino/Teensy, WiFi, Amps etc.), programming (signal processing, implementation…), learning the basics of EMG (Electromyography), designing circuits and cases and finally finding use for this thing! But now everything works and I can control effects (e.g. filter, delays…) while playing keyboards with an armband attached to my triceps. But the possibilities are much greater than just using it for fun. I could imagine a use in medical fields, for disabled people of music therapy, also for combining fitness programs with music or so.

I’m thinking about sharing this idea, the code and the experiences I gained during development with the online community. There is nothing online yet, but I will upload it soon. So stay tuned!

Was it your first entry?

Yes.

What are some recent favorite pieces of equipment and why?

The Wireless-Muscle-Controlled-OSC-Interface of course… Well. There is so much going on right now, it’s hard to tell, which is my favourite equipment. But I like the fact, that there are more and more powerful but affordable tools on the market like plug-ins, pro-audio equipment, microcontrollers, and other components. And also easy to learn programming languages like Arduino or Swift. Plus there is an online community for almost everything. I think that’s awesome and very important for newcomers.

What are some of your favorite recordings or productions?

Snarky Puppy (Family Dinner). But there are so many more!

What/who inspired you to join AES?

The competition, member benefits, the (student) community/network. Unfortunately I didn’t know very much about AES before AES140, if I would have known, I might have joined earlier. Now I’m looking forward to AES142 in Berlin!

Tell us about your favorite experiences at the 140th AES Convention in Paris!

It was super lovely to get to know all the other audio students from all over the world! And of course the croissants and the french bakery in the convention center!

What do you do in your free time?

I do stuff with my friends. Make music - check out one of my projects called “Rhythmussportgruppe” ;-)

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully doing the same as today - with more money. That would be fantastic!

Thank you, Lukas!