The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has awarded funding that will see Dr. Darcy Benoit of Acadia University’s Jodrey School of Computer Science partner with Cape Breton company Stomp Labs, to develop a new app. The app will emulate the features that Stomp Labs provides in its physical guitar pedals, and will provide clients with a portable practice device that delivers the music effects they need and love.  

Currently, Stomp Labs has the experience and technology required to build the guitar pedals, but has not had the experience required to build the required app. That’s where Benoit comes in. Benoit’s experience in application development will be used to guide and supervise a developer in the creation of the app for Stomp Labs.

“I'm really looking forward to this project,” says Jeff Slipp, Stomp’s expert in the area of guitar effects. “Stomp Labs has been developing some new and revolutionary effects pedals for guitar players, but we’re new to the industry and felt we needed a way to break into the market as quickly as possible.  It occurred to us that a free app would be a convenient and low-risk way to allow users to get familiar with the features and capabilities of our products.”

The project

The aim of the project is to develop an application framework for Stomp Labs that will provide individuals with new effects pedals without having to physically update in the Apple App Store. Benoit and Slipp agree that the goal of the project will be to solve the technical issues associated with this problem so that Stomp Labs can provide music lovers with the maximum number of pedal effects with a minimal number of updates.

Another unique feature of this app is the gyroscope sensor, which allows the user to tilt the iOS device and control the effect at hand. This feature will be an essential part of the app, allowing adjustments to be made while the guitar is being played.

The benefits

By providing Stomp Labs with the development expertise needed to create a complex app, Acadia is applying skills and practices in an industry setting. This collaboration will provide needed skills to a local entrepreneur, as well as allow a small business to compete on a global scale with their software and hardware. The export potential is significant for this project. Stomp Labs expects the sales of this app to drive research and development of product lines that will eventually sustain 10 technically-oriented jobs for engineers, programmers, and technicians at their Sydney facility.

“Working with Stomp Labs provides Acadia University and the Jodrey School of Computer Science with a direct link to a local entrepreneur in the technology world,” says Benoit. “Building connections between Acadia and progressive companies like Stomp Labs allows Acadia to be involved with the transfer of knowledge directly to local companies while also being involved with local industry.”

He adds: “it is important for universities in general take their knowledge out of the classroom and apply that knowledge in real-world situations, “ Dr. David MacKinnon, Dean of Acadia’s Research and Graduate Studies, concurs, noting, “Dr. Benoit’s involvement with Stomp Labs deepens Acadia’s already impressive connection and contribution to local industry and community groups.”

The funding

The NSERC Engage Grants program provides Canadian-based companies access to the unique knowledge and expertise of Canadian university researchers and fosters the development of new research partnerships by supporting short-term projects aimed at addressing a company-specific problem.

“The Engage grant, and the opportunity it has provided for us to work with Dr. Benoit, will have a major impact for Stomp Labs,” says Slipp. “It gives us a jump start by providing us with access to expertise that would otherwise consume precious financial resources or take a year or more to develop. The probability of Stomp Labs’ success is dramatically improved by programs such as Engage.”

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