Lightingale is an unusual kind of electronic controller, the basic design of which is a 5x5 matrix of light sensors. The controller can be played with different light sources such as flashlights or stage lights, or by covering a constant light source in a kind of shadow play.
The controller is designed for gestural input, translating movements into control voltages that can be mapped to musical parameters. This gestural input is multidimensional: the position of light on the matrix serves as a control signal, as do the distance, speed, and intensity of the light source.
As an instrument, Lightingale is both more physical and more responsive than traditional controllers, making it highly intuitive to learn. I am continuously developing the instrument and as of 2026 am working on a completely revised version.
The controller is designed for gestural input, translating movements into control voltages that can be mapped to musical parameters. This gestural input is multidimensional: the position of light on the matrix serves as a control signal, as do the distance, speed, and intensity of the light source.
As an instrument, Lightingale is both more physical and more responsive than traditional controllers, making it highly intuitive to learn. I am continuously developing the instrument and as of 2026 am working on a completely revised version.