The Sensor Augmented Bass clarinet Research (SABRe) project uses the already existing know-how to produce a standardized device, which can be reproduced several times, used by anybody in many possible configurations and eventually be extended to other similar instruments.

airMEMS is a focus on a clarinet mouthpiece, which can be used simultaneously as an acoustic mouthpiece as well as a wind controller, sending information data about the static air pressure level produced by the player. For this purpose, a sub-miniaturized pressure sensor, based on the MEMS-technology will be built into the mouthpiece in a way that hardly disturbs the sound production. After the characterization tests and selection of the best possible mounting scheme, a device will be fabricated and integrated to the final product of the SABRe project.

The project aims to respond to expectations coming directly from the praxis and which do not have been satisfyingly fulfilled yet. It should also flow back into the praxis to be evaluated, in order to test its aptitude to respond to the expectations coming from the musical scene. This evaluation will be made in collaboration with composers and performers, writing and playing pieces in different contexts.

SABRe should establish a benchmark in terms of augmented instruments and new gesture paradigms offered by the sensor set. In combination with airMEMS, it will provide new expression means, acoustical knowledge and could enlarge its application range to other domains. Furthermore, it brings electroacoustic and instrumental music a bit closer from each other and allows the collection of know-how and methodology in terms of instrument making, evaluation and diffusion.