Stress Beat is an interface that plays upon the user perception of micro-timing and groove in tandem with their physiological state. Tempo is set by the user tapping their finger to the beat of the desired tempo. A musical groove begins playing to the set tempo, and the user’s real-time changes in the heart rate adjusts micro-timing of an individual component of a drum groove. If the heartbeat is actively increasing, the given component occurs behind the beat in relation to the rest of the groove/tempo grid, and vice versa.
The user is provided with live audio feedback of the beat with micro-timing variability applied. In Max/MSP, the user interface also provides several modes of visual feedback of their biosignals and manual control. The tempo is displayed numerically, as well as with a visual pulse. The signal meter of the EMG input is displayed to provide the user with feedback that their tapping is being read by the system, and the cleanliness of their input signal. The playing beat is also displayed as a series of five blinking lights for the onset of musical events. The live heart rate is displayed in real-time, along with another pulse signifying the changes in heart rate that reflect the microtiming within the groove.
