Motion-Emotion-Lab

Psychophysiological Laboratory for Movement and Emotion Studies in Music Physiology, Music Medicine & Systematic Musicology

Making music requires highly complex fine motor movements and cognitive processes. Modern hardware and software systems enable research in the field of Music Performance Science to professionally analyze the processes of music-making and music perception. They provide a scientific basis for documenting activities and emotional processes. Furthermore, these systems help develop optimization strategies and preventive measures against overuse complaints and performance anxiety. The Motion-Emotion-Lab, led by Associate Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Matthias Bertsch, consists of multiple components for measuring various data.

 

Infrastructure

Short video: Brief demonstration of measurement devices in the Motion-Emotion-Lab (MEL)

EMG (Electromyography) Systems

Measurement of electrical muscle activity. Surface electromyography allows visualization of muscle activations and detection of increased tension.

Motion Capturing

3D Motion Capture: Body-mounted motion sensors for posture and movement analysis

  • NORAXON Myo Motion Research 6 sensors, 100Hz sampling rate with 3D modeling and biomechanical analysis software
  • CROM 3 (Cervical Range of Motion) Goniometer

Pressure Measurement

Force measurement platforms document body posture while standing. Specialized sensors also measure the forces exerted when playing an instrument.

  • ZEBRIS Pressure Plate Type FDM-S for postural and gait analysis
  • NORAXON MyoResearch 3 (MR3) PDF myoPressure software module
  • NORAXON DTS Flexiforce Local 1 Pressure Sensor (25lb)
  • BONSAI Systems (ETH Zurich) LiPr Mouthpiece Pressure Sensor

Psychophysiological Biosensors

Biosensors measure skin conductance, pulse, skin temperature, and breathing patterns to analyze biopsychological mechanisms and provide insights into music perception and emotional experience during performance.

  • NORAXON Biomechanical Analysis Software, DTS Bio Monitor for pulse, respiration, and temperature
  • Schuhfried Biofeedback 2000 x-pert Bluetooth including voice/video recorder, statistics module
  • 2x Schuhfried BFB Multisensor (wireless modules for SCL, SCR, TEMP, PULSE, RESP)
  • Schuhfried BFB RESP Respiratory Belt Combination (chest and abdominal sensors)
  • Schuhfried BFB HFV/HRV Module
  • BOSO Medistar Blood Pressure Monitor
  • Four Empatica EmbracePlus devices (ventral EDA sensor, accelerometer, photoplethysmogram, IBI, on-skin detection, pulse rate, pulse rate variability, skin temperature, steps and activity)
  • Mindfield eSense Skin Response - skin conductance measurement via smartphone app

Respiratory Sensors

Spirometry: Documentation of breathing patterns and lung capacities

  • COSMED - Pony FX MIP/MEP Advanced Desktop Spirometer

Audio / Video Equipment

Audio-visual recordings provide essential documentation of music performance. Special systems allow precise analysis.

  • NTI XL2 Audio SPL sound level meter
  • FLIR ONE iPhone Thermal Camera - IR Thermocam
  • USB Audio Interfaces, various microphones
  • NORAXON Synchronization Modules: Myo Sync and Sync Light

 

Virtual Reality & Augmented Audio

Hardware & software for creating virtual environments for VR exposure training.

  • Ricoh Theta Z1 360° camera
  • Insta360 Pro 2 Virtual Reality Camera (6 x 6K cameras, stitched 8K videos)
  • Rode NT-SF1 Ambient Sound Microphone
  • Zoom F8n Mobile 8-Channel Audio Recorder
  • Meta Quest VR Headsets (Quest 1, Quest 2, Quest 3, Quest Pro)
  • PICO 4 All-in-One VR Headset 128GB by ByteDance (TikTok), provided by ÖGfMM

Voice Analysis

In addition to audio recordings, specialized hardware and software provide singer-specific information.

  • VOCE VidiVoice Biofeedback Professional
  • VOCE VidiVoice Professional Voice Field Analysis
  • 2x PCE-322 A SPL Sound Level Meters with Data Logger
  • VOLTCRAFT DL-161S Sound Level Meter

The Motion Emotion Lab is an official friend & partner of the SINES Tools for Data Acquisition and Empirical Research in Systematic Musicology at the University of Vienna.