here's a quick preview of the solved exercises :: (13.9Mb)
here's another preview of the more solved exercises :: (16.9Mb)
a longtime due update here!
some videos from the actual velodrum performance at the amazing NIME show. All great performances.
from Corey:
from Vhaibhav:
here's a quick preview of the solved exercises :: (13.9Mb)
here's another preview of the more solved exercises :: (16.9Mb)
some screenshots ::
more info, pic's and videos at Tim's blog
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.
]]>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.
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
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.
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)
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by this time the Soundbird hadn't the sound analysis completely built in and the trail was continuously visible (that happened to be a nice effect) still progress has been made and the patch is now faster, more responsive and almost-almost-almost finished.
more news after tuesday's testing on the ITP's lounge setup..
]]>- ditched the belt system and moved on to direct transmission systems
- installed the first disc/track on the axis
- reviewed the drawings for the triggering (drum stick) system
- built the 1st track trigger and switch system
on the performance side::
- difficulties in getting high resolution footage from the "Volta a Portugal em bicicleta" (the portuguese bicycle tour), solution: go low_res. Web sourced footage looses on the resolution side but the amount and variety of content can be cumbersome.
- building a collection, have some possible ideas but still haven't found the path. I think the fact that the Velodrum hasn't produced a sound yet is to blame.
where i am now (2007-11-26 00:10:56)!
- have the triggering system for 4 tracks close to completed
- gathered some sounding trash (still missing a pan lid!)
- thinking and drawing some solutions for the tracks (disc) design ( have the triggering tooth built-in or make it as add-on (more modularity and ease of configuration (but will i have time?))
- the interface for now is a wire..
and some pics::
