Studio 207 · Nov 21, 2025 · 12:00 pm
A modular tangible user interface for live coding video performances with Hydra
Hydra sCC is a modular, wireless Tangible User Interface (TUI) that integrates physical movement into code manipulation, enabling performers of Hydra’s live coding synth to use gestures that influence visual outputs in real time. By incorporating multiple input modalities, the system supports embodied interaction, allowing performers to respond expressively to music through visible motion on stage. Unlike traditional screen-based workflows, this approach embeds movement directly into parameter control, fostering a more dynamic relationship between sound, visuals, and bodily motion.
The system was evaluated in a controlled improvisation session with five live coders to assess its impact on performativity and expressivity. Results indicate that embodied interaction enhances immediacy, visibility, and opportunities for collaboration with the audience and somatic artists, though it also introduces challenges related to cognitive load and precision. This study highlights the potential of TUIs to expand live coding performance by encouraging collaborative, multimodal expressions aligned with an artist’s physical and aesthetic intentions. It also opens pathways for designing more spatially aware and performative interfaces.
I'm a creative technologist with a passion for how computation shapes human experience through everyday platforms. My current focus lies in exploring game development frameworks and their potential to enable immersive, engaging storytelling. I approach technology playfully and with a user-friendly mindset, often blending artistic freedom with technical experimentation.