inani-mate material drummer.Drumming away material research and perception
Material-driven sound synthesis: Inani-Mate Material Drummer is a modular experimental percussion instrument exploring sound synthesis through interchangeable material samples, transforming their physical vibrations into playable and digitally manipulated sound.
The instrument is built around interchangeable 80 × 80 mm material samples, allowing different materials, textures and constructions to be played and compared. Beneath each sample, a piezo contact microphone captures its physical vibrations, while TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) and fibre layers isolate the surface from the surrounding structure.
These signals are processed through BELA (Open-source platform for ultra-low latency audio processing) and Pure Data (programming language for interactive computer music and multimedia works), where delay, reverb, pitch and amplitude can be manipulated through physical controls. The project becomes an object of research and a playable interface, moving between raw vibration, percussion and electronically transformed sound.
The form of the instrument also emerged through sound. Listening walks, ambient music and spontaneous drawing exercises were used to translate rhythm, movement and atmosphere into irregular physical forms.
Inani-Mate ultimately became an early exploration of sound as a design method: using listening not simply to create music, but as another way of researching and understanding materials and shaping physical objects.
Design: Marcelo Guajardo Dávila
Status: Functional prototype, ongoing
Materials: PLA, Vibers PLA, Woodfill, Bronzefill, Stonefill, TPU, foam, electronic components
Methods: Material experimentation, FDM 3D printing, electronics, soldering, sound synthesis, Pure Data programming, prototyping
Technology: BELA, Pure Data, piezo contact microphones
Dimensions: Material samples 80x80mm, drum box 150x150mm
Produced in: Espoo, Finland
Year: 2025
Photography: Marcelo Guajardo
What if materials are made to be heard?