The TouchTable prototype with headphones
DJing is a musical activity that involves the blending of songs (mixing) and the rythmic manipulation of sounds (scratching). Traditionally, DJs used vinyl records as their music sources. The vibration of a stylus (needle) in the groove of these records produced not just sound, but also subtle haptic sensations that could be felt by the DJ as they manipulated the record by hand. Modern DJ technology is digital in nature and no longer provides this haptic cue.
The TouchTable is a prototype device that augments digital music files with rich haptic feedback delivered by a vibrotactile actuator. This system can not only replicate the literal 'feel' of vinyl but also provide additional sensations related to the music being played. We are investigating whether this tactile augmentation of music can be beneficial to the performance of novice and skilled DJs.