Getting started

TouchMe

Playtron

New devices

Synths & Software

Troubleshooting

TouchMe is designed to be played on its own, by holding both ends like a video game controller. But did you know you can connect wires to those ends?

In this tutorial, we will show you how to do that, as well as give you a few tips and tricks to get creative using TouchMe.

What is the difference between holding TouchMe with your hands or using it with alligator clips?

Basically, instead of having to touch the copper plates on the device, you will have to touch whatever object or material you’ve connected to it. More on that later. It works like an extension for the two pads of your TouchMe. If you don’t know what is the standard approach to use TouchMe, please check this tutorial.

What type of objects can you use?

You will have to use conductive objects or materials, meaning: objects that allow the electricity to flow through them. Fruits and vegetables will work, as long as they don’t use a lot of wax to get shiny. In turn, plastic or dry wood will not work. Here are some examples of materials that should work:

• Fruits, vegetables, and plants;
• Cutlery;

• Soap;

• Play-doh;

• Conductive ink;
• Paint;
• Aluminum or copper foil, plate, tape, or wire. Note that you can buy cooper tape in our shop! We recommend it since it was tested by us and works perfectly;

• Water (you should connect each side of TouchMe to a single water container).

Although you can use any of these objects, part of the fun of using TouchMe this way lies in searching for the perfect objects for your needs! TouchMe will also respond according to the material that you use. Some materials are more conductive and some less. Those that are more conductive will allow you to reach higher pitch notes on TouchMe easier. Less conductive objects will have a less broad range of notes.

How to connect objects to TouchMe?

Now that you have chosen your objects, let’s get wiry! Take your alligator clips. On each end of TouchMe you will notice two little holes.

You must connect the alligator clips into these holes on both sides of TouchMe.

Connecting objects

Take the other end of one of the wires, and clip it on the object of your choosing.  If you cannot clip it, try pushing it in, or attaching it with tape or aluminum foil.

Note: if you use a conductive material to help you hold this connection, the same will be stronger. So go ahead and use cooper or aluminum tape if you have it.

If the wire is too short, you can connect several alligator clips onto another. If you run out of alligator clips, you can always order more in our shop.

Other options are to use aluminum foil, wires, copper tape, or anything long enough that is conductive.

Join a group of people and play all together with TouchMe

Another great example to use TouchMe is by chaining joining a group of friends or family, grab each other’s hands and two of you hold TouchMe on opposite pads. Try to “squeeze” each other’s hands more and less and notice how that affects the notes that you listen to. Check out this video:

And that’s it! With the simple methods described in this tutorial, you will be able to use TouchMe with layers of objects or even people! Now just open the doors for your creativity!