The Beat Nexus at The GRAMMY Museum

The Beat Nexus is the second of two experiences I designed for The Grammy Museum’s Sonic Playground exhibit. It’s a four-player instrument that is simple enough for anyone to walk up to and learn, but nuanced enough for high-level expression and deep collaboration.

My UX design skills are at the heart of this experience, with numerous Max for Live devices and custom configurations for the EmbodmeErae II touch-controllers that enable sophisticated musical and visual interactions. All sounds and effects were produced in Ableton Live, with drum loops contributed by the exceptional Kevin Joseph Sawka (KJ Sawka).

I also designed a custom LED visualizer for the center of the instrument, featuring fan-shaped spectrum analyzers. The cabinetry was designed by Curious Beast and fabricated by Blackmouth, combining precise craftsmanship with a clean, modern aesthetic.

Special thanks to The Grammy Museum staff, Tim Thompson, Jason Donnelly, Brendan Hogan, and Reek Havok for their contributions to the project. If you find yourself in the Los Angeles are, please come and experience this dynamic and beautifully realized instrument first-hand, along with the many other captivating installations throughout the Sonic Playground exhibit.