Welcome to HACKER BAND CAMP!
AKA Hacker My Music!
WUBBA LUBBA DUB DUB! We have been accepted to DEF CON 33!
See you at DEF CON, Music Hackers!
Welcome to “Band Camp”, also known as “Hacker My Music!”, “Maker My Music!”, “Printstrument”, and “Pitch Imperfect”. This event is all about creating and showcasing unique musical instruments and melodies. Join us for a fun and creative experience where originality and innovation are key! Submit your hacker tunes and musical tools by recording in our pop-up sound booth or make something unique and reproducible ahead of time and submit on-site!
Band Camp is a contest where participants create musical instruments and perform melodies. The event will be judged based on various criteria, including originality, pitch accuracy, and versatility. We encourage participants to use interesting materials and showcase their creativity.
Must be present to participate
What are the hard rules??
- 🎼 If printed, your instrument or instrument housing must have a slicer print time of less than 3 hours on a printer that costs retail less than $2000
- 🎼 Must have recording in our on-site pop-up sound booth
- 🎼🎼 Must record and submit sample song of “Daisy Bell”
- 🎼🎼 Additional sample songs will be announced at DEF CON 33
- 🎼🎼 Must record and submit every tone/note/sound made by their instrument to be included in a sample set to be donated to media.defcon.org for free sampling by all DEF CON and hacker musicians alike
- 🎼 Must have print file and instructions for assembly submitted as a github repository
- 🎼🎼 Bonus points if there is a video explaining the instrument. Video must be no more than 3 minutes long
- 🎼 Must submit by Saturday of DEF CON at end of the day (18:00) to be considered for judging.
- 🎼🎼 Judges TBD. We are working with main-stage DEF CON talent to build a top-tier list of judges to listen to the performances and provide their expert scores on the categories given to them. Judging sheets will be provided to the judges and published online at time of official contest publication.
- 🎼🎼 May turn in additional Side Quest points the next morning up to an hour before the awards ceremony
Safety Guidelines
- Ensure all instruments are safe to use and do not pose any hazards to participants or the audience.
- Avoid using materials that are toxic, flammable, or otherwise dangerous.
What is the judging criteria?
- 🎵 Originality
- 🎵 Group Play / Band Camp
- 🎵 Reproducibility
- 🎵 Pitch Accuracy / Volume Range
- 🎵 Sample Set for upload to media.defcon.org
- 🎵 Materials Science - Interesting Filaments or other upcycled goods?
- 🎵 Versatility - Can it play more than one note? Can it play more than one song? Etc…
- 🎵 Number of unique pitches
- 🎵 How much made on site
- 🎵 Phreaking - How close to 2600 Can You Get
- 🎵 DMTF Tones? Can it place calls?
Side Quests
If you are interested in participating in any of the following side quests, you may earn additional points towards your final score:
- 🎶 “Singing Telegrams”
- 🎶🎶 Give and record a telegram from a hacker musician
- 🎶 Get sampled in a live musician set
- 🎶🎶 Have your instrument sampled in a live musician set at a DEF CON party (Either official or unofficial)
- 🎶 Create a new melody to be sampled by a hacker musician
- 🎶 Hacker Events
- 🎶🎶 Open Up a song for the proprietor of Hacker Karaoke
- 🎶🎶 Play Careless Whisper for Scav Hunt
- 🎶 Integration with Official Conference Badge
- 🎶🎶 Create an instrument that can be integrated with the official conference badge and use it as part of your performance
- 🎶 Get TheDarkTangent to play your instrument on camera
- Additional side quests may be added as we approach con
Prizes and Recognition
- Details on prizes and recognition for winners and participants will be announced closer to the event date.
How do I sign up and or submit my instrument?
Should we be selected as a Contest at DEF CON 33, a form will be put up along with instructions on how to submit your recordings ahead of time if you wish to be considered at con but don’t have time to sit around designing things and waiting for them to print.
FAQ
- Q: Are there any age restrictions for participants?
- A: Participants of all ages are welcome, but minors must be accompanied by an adult.
- Q: Do I need to register in advance?
- A: No, but you MUST register before your submission will be accepted. Details will be provided as we get closer to DEF CON 33.
- Q: Can I use pre-made instruments or something I found online?
- A: You can but it will be judged as such. All instruments must have some part created by the participants specifically for this contest at DEF CON 33.
- Q: Can I use a 3D printer to create my instrument?
- Yes! It is encouraged to use 3D printers to create your instrument.
- Q: Do I have to play my instrument or can I have someone else play it for me?
- A: You can have someone else play your instrument, but you must be present to submit your instrument and be judged.
- Q: Can I submit more than one instrument?
- A: Yes, you can submit multiple instruments, but each instrument must be submitted separately.
- Q: What songs are required for the submission?
- A: You must submit a recording of “Daisy Bell” and additional sample songs that will be announced at DEF CON 33.
- Q: Can I submit a song that I did not write?
- A: Yes, you can submit a cover song, but original songs are encouraged.
- Q: Can I use a computer or other electronic devices to create my instrument?
- A: Yes, you can use electronic devices to create your instrument, but it must be reproducible and not require any proprietary software or hardware.
- Q: Can I print my instrument before the event?
- A: Yes, you can print your instrument before the event, but you must be present to submit your instrument and be judged. You must also provide the print file (3MF) with print settings, instructions for assembly, and the recording in our on-site pop-up sound booth.
- Q: Can I use a laser cutter or other tools to create my instrument?
- A: No, you must use a 3D printer and other tools that are available at the event and more accessible to the general public.
Thoughts on the name
- Some other names thrown around have been Printstrument, or Maker My Music, but we decided to go with Hacker My Music because DEF CON is a Hacker Con after all.