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December 30, 2007
Push Music(); PopMusic(); > Final + WinterShow'07
We (me and Tim) finally got a final (for now) version of our music data visualization system - Push Music(); PopMusic();. This project was also shown at the ITP's Winter Show'07 where we got a good amount of feedback and ideas for future developments.
From the past versions the biggest changes were a slightly softer control system of the view mode (using only the 2 mouse axis for zoom and rotation); alpha blending implementation and better color modulation; neutral data (0 value) is not drawn; reduced the number of gears; implemented metronome marker as a blinking layer(on tempo and being drawn on the current time of the playhead).
some screenshots ::
more info, pic's and videos at Tim's blog
December 15, 2007
Push Music(); PopMusic(); - screenshots
some screenshots of the pm2 patch running using the data from LordX's Series track.
this is a beautiful music and i think we're managing to show its data structures in a readable and aesthetically pleasing way.
niice!
more pics and updates from the show soon!
December 12, 2007
velodrum + score = videodrum
i finally finished the score for the 'velodrum' performance. My inspirations were based in explorations of childhood bike rides, rave culture and electronic sequencers and elements of chance. Also the piano mechanique and its role as an background soundtrack for silent movies.
following along with the concept of the instrument and the performance it felt natural to build the score as a techno videoclip, the score follows the narrative of the movie.
I simulated the track events and sounds from the bike in audio software and then i created a vj set based on the amazing eyecandy traffic education movie from 1963:: one got fat. (one of the most surreal and incredible educational/institutional video pieces i've ever seen). the vj set set was built using arkaos software, trying to give a revival feeling of the end of 90's vj styles , with synced cuts and cheesy rave'ish effects.
This video will also be used as the background video projection on the performance, no sound include of course.
December 10, 2007
Velodrum - update 005
changes, fixes and bugs..
close to failure, close to success (or something like that..), back and forth in the construction and (re)design but i'm really happy because today i got my first sound from the velodrum!
check the this short clip! :: (6Mb)
some pics of the current state of 'it'::
changes, fixes and news::
> new interface cabling routing, instead of having the cables pushing the lower part of the trigger's arms i installed a bar above the tracks and fixed the cables to the top of the arms (again.. why didn't i thought this before?!) = incredible reduction of the effort needed.
> safety bar implemented to keep the trigger's arms to get too close to the tracks/discs
>interface cabling routed through an aluminum tube attached to the bike's frame, cables are sliding independently and softly
>tested and built extension for the 'drumsticks' using steel (5mm thick) wire which seems to give a nice flexibility.
>tested and built the piece attached to the drumsticks (the piece that will be hitting the objects (?!?!)) using a small pice of wood involved by gaffers tape - perfect for the kick drum!
still missing::
>controller levers! (i don't really want to be pulling strings on the performance...)
>glue a strip of rubber along the triggers resting support to try to reduce the impact and noise when they're pulled back.
December 07, 2007
Velodrum - update 004
the day of the disaster..
finally got all the modules individually assembled and tested. The fianl composition of the modules wasn't properly satisfatory. on the first fully assebled test the velodrum system reacted nicely even though the noise from the track axis rotation and its bearings was a bit unpleasant. After some tweakings and the interface/controller cabling was installed i tested the bike again and the axis system and tracks modules were close to collapse.
The connection between the modules sometimes is a bit loose and it was necessary to use some nylon wiring to pull the bike support, the transmission wheel and the track system together.
The tracks weight on the axis caused to much friction and one of the bearings (which had already lost some balls) fell appart. One of the disc's teeth didn't really survived a closer/harsher contact with the trigger/drumstick. the wiring for the interface offered a huge resistance and was definitely to hard to pull..
total disaster.
possible solutions and 'bugs' to fix ::
>test better/more bearings on each side
>proximity limiter between the trigger's arms and the discs/tracks
>better fixing of the 'teeth' in the discs/tracks
December 04, 2007
3*(u) + post-mortem
For this assignment i worked with Dave Gordon and we tried to explore characters and their definitions through our most inner character and its multiplicities. Our project was based on the study of the character definition by its id, ego and super-ego.
Dave developed a set of three sculptures each reflecting one of the characters. Dave did an excellent exploration of the materials used and had an engaging conceptual approach.
Through the use of interactive mirrors my idea was to show and exaggerate the captured image/action. Even though our image is perfectly recognizable the time manipulations in extreme poles and the use of repetitions and delays try to cause a sensation of multiplicity: a multiplication (in number) and division (in definition) of our character(s).
Time is seen as a constructor and definer of characters, as the element who lets characters show themselves and be known; time unveils and drives the narrative.
the video algorithms created were based on:
id = desire, instantaneity, rush, anxiety to have, to possess, instinctive = extremely quick repetitions and changes in the direction of time. short cuts.
super- ego = norms based on moral and society, cultural azimuths washed by conventions and wasted by time, consciousness = longer repetitions, merged and undefined overlapped layers.
ego = try to balance both and the external world, not always its attempts to dominate id are successfull, in every move id tries to overpose to super-ego, a constant dwell = mixed composition with exchanged control values and variable layer overlapping.
here's a quick preview (wip) :: ( Mb)
As for the class presentation and critique :
even though the sculptures were successful in their approach the interactive video was barely noticed and rather unsuccessful. The illumination and camera used were aesthetically pleasing but the size of the video frames was definitely too small. This was reflected in a longer time for recognition of ourselves and our gestures and thus the time manipulations weren't immediately grasped.
Another problem came from the space exploration and physical installation:
due to the scheme explored (frontal projection, small video size, close camera position)we ended up constraining the user movements to a too closed camera framing. I believe that with more time together would have taken us to a better exploration of the sculpture's shapes and materials with its video overlays.
December 02, 2007
soundbird - homemade video demo test
just did a quick test of the soundbird patch's last tunnings, it's running smooth enough to record 18fps screenshot video with no apparent decrease in speed.
watch here :: (29Mb)
homework-07-08
Velodrum - update 004
some pics on the updates:
new transmission system - direct drive (coment:simplicity!)
triggers/drumsticks for the track system in development.
