# Music from MacBooks and Salad Bowls The Stanford Laptop Orchestra By Marissa Brassfield | Published 2008-10-11 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stanford-laptop-orchestra References: [psfk](http://www.psfk.com/2008/10/the-stanford-laptop-orchestra.html) & [slork.stanford.edu](http://slork.stanford.edu) Yes, you read that right: The Stanford Laptop Orchestra nixes traditional instruments in favor of MacBooks and modified [IKEA](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swedish-house-mafia-x-ikea-collection) salad bowl speakers. Founded in the spring of 2008 at Stanford University’s [Center for Computer Research](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dont-tap-the-glass) in Music and Acoustics, 20 laptops manipulate sound in an unusual way. As PSFK notes, “Each key of the computer represents a different note, and tilting the laptop changes the sound. Manipulating the trackpad also alters the music, acting like a violin bow.” So at the right venue, passersby can stroll around the members of the Stanford Laptop Orchestra and experience a different blend of sounds every few steps. As you can see from the gallery, the Stanford Laptop Ensemble creates their own six-channel speakers, carved out of [IKEA salad bowls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zenbowl). All told, the speakers provide 120 channels of sound. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.4/10 - Popularity: 43% | Activity: 82% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/media) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Computer Music:** The development of computer-centric musical experiences offers opportunities for innovative sound creation and unique performance mediums. - **Alternative Instrumentation:** The exploration of non-traditional methods of creating sound could lead to new, unique audio experiences for consumers. - **Interactive Music:** The use of technology to create interactive music could provide consumers with an immersive and engaging musical experience. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Music Production:** The music production industry could benefit from the adoption of new technologies and alternative mediums for sound creation. - **Technology:** Technology companies could capitalize on the growing demand for interactive and computer-centric musical experiences. - **Retail:** Retailers could incorporate computer-centric musical experiences into their in-store environments to create an engaging and unique shopping experience for consumers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Concert-Producing Music Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stagespeaker.md) - [Water-Covered Speaker Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shaped-by-water.md) - [Interactive Music Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sound-maestro.md) - [Tactile Interactive Music Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yamaha.md) - [Sustainable Hand-Crafted Keyboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/working-synth.md) - [AI-Powered Piano Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/roli-piano-system.md) - [Tape Deck Instruments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magnetic-folklore.md) - [Online Music Collaboration Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/online-music-collaboration.md) - [Interactive Display-Equipped Synthesizers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/love-hultn-x-lirona-synthboi.md)