[analyzer~]

Carrying on from previous progress, many sound functions (objects) within max msp have shown some light into gathering certain data that needs to achieve with sound files. But still not there, so with todays lecture on jitters (external add-on for max msp) it has opened many possibiltys and the groups knowledge of other ways to tackle this project.

To explain whats happened, a step back is needed to explain some points. Max "msp" itself is the tool for sound manipulation and analyis's. Max is the actual name of the program. It has just always been refered to as max msp.. The msp is the sound "section". Jitter is the video "section". So think of it as max jitter and you see what i mean. With this add-on the previous intention of using a seperate program Processing to display visuals, is now possible inside max. Recent research found here showed that the group found out how to get the two programs talking to each other.

Today the group got taught how to manipulate video by changing fades, saturation, tolerance and so forth. This may prove helpful for later problems if decided to create visuals in max.

On the topic of exteral add-ons, while searching forums for types of objects that give sound infomation like pitch, tempo, noise, loudness and what not. The object [analyzer~] by Tristan Jehan sounded very promising and so the group looked into this. Forwarded to http://www.maxobjects.com/ which has pretty much every interal and external object for max. After being sent to http://web.media.mit.edu/~tristan/, the [analyzer~] object was downloaded with a .dll file, which was required for windows compatability.

Finally we had an object that gave not only everything mentioned before (pitch, tempo, noise, loudness) but also other weird and wonderful information like freqency and brightness. Another object was downloaded called [beat~] from the same website before which gets an average tempo. All excellent for this project with a far more denser light shining through.



Quick reference for websites mentioned,

http://web.media.mit.edu/~tristan/
http://www.maxobjects.com/
http://www.cycling74.com/forums/index.php?t=i&cat=3&rid=7203&S=10cdb907f8620b5811082f63b6e9f6c6
http://www.cycling74.com/forums/index.php?t=msg&goto=132839&rid=0&srch=sound+analysis#msg_132839
http://shoutbox.craigdennisonline.com/

Structor & Findings

The group has got the ball going this morning with a brainstorm of what needs to be done, everyones quality's, issue's ahead and potental extras. Ideas like a website introducing the group members and photos of the assignments progression, mic directions and projection arrangments. After this everyone was slotted a subject to research such as connection between MAX MSP and Processing, sound analysis, shape templates and other sections nessercery.

All findings and progression will be posted on http://shoutbox.craigdennisonline.com/ for the time being untill a good quality website is up and running. Sound analysis is important to the project due to requiring information from a sound wave. Details on its pitch, volume and length are required to create a shape. Thus the MAX MSP object [info~] is just the tip of the ice burg, research shows, but will need to be more complex. Here are some findings.

Output
Most of the information reported by info~ is taken from the audio file most recently read into the associated buffer~. If this information is not present, only the sampling rate is sent out the left outlet. No output occurs for any item that’s missing from the sound file.
float Out left outlet: The sampling rate of the sample.
Out 3rd outlet: Sustain loop start, in milliseconds.
Out 4th outlet: Sustain loop end, in milliseconds.
Out 5th outlet: Release loop start, in milliseconds.
Out 6th outlet: Release loop end, in milliseconds.
Out 7th outlet: Total time of the associated buffer~ object, in milliseconds.
Out 8th outlet: Name of the most recently read audio file.

Yesterdays Presentation, Tomorrows Assignment

Yesterday's presentation didn't go all that well. The structor was not a mess, its just the storyboard was the last slide, which should of been the 2nd slide. Explaining all the components, research and attraction before explaining what the concept is to start with, was a bad decision. Live and learn.

"Villege Fete" is a group project which will have it's groups decided on the best ideas of yesterdays presentations. Annoyingly the guys that always turn up had all their ideas chosen. Which means inevitabily each group will be cursed with indiviuals that either don't turn up, don't do work or both. We'll see how it goes but like with every group assignment that we don't have control over (group member wise), the quality of work is generally below standard. As a final product that is.

A different system has been decided on to mark individual members by the group marking them, anonymously of course. Which is great news because for the guys that turn up each day and work hard, get the rewards they deserve.

One of the ideas that will be worked on is,

"A Visual Shout Box
People make a noise that is then depicted on a projection / wall. The louder the noise the more ‘angry’ the image / animation or the more it does something. There is the possibility for many more shapes to be added by using (for example) the tone of the voice. These can then be printed or emailed to participants as a souvenir of their experience. http://craigdennisonline.com/"

Going to be exciting working with this project, but depending on who else joins the group, is leav't to be seen. More will be revealed tomorrow.

21st Presentation

Working on mondays presentation for the last couple of days and spent most of it deciding on a style. Straight off the bat i wanted it to have a heavy typography style to it and so i started playing with illustrator. Never used this program before but picked it up quite quickly and not too hard to work around if you know photoshop.

I did have a set template down yesterday, but once again was unhappy and thus researched typegraphy websites and prints. I want a good template down because this will be used throughout the remainer of this assignment. Mainly to keep a good and consistant style for it.

Here is the result.

Two Proposals

Finalized idea's need to be ready for mondays presentation. So i've rounded up two that I believe will be strong enough and original enough to make it through.

Motion Wave

"Using visual motion detected by a camera, you'll be able to push a sound file around and destort the music."

This will have a visual sound wave projected onto a screen with a motion camera. The camera will pick up either the most dense object in view (the user) or by heat, using infra red to detect hand movements and so fourth. Using this input the user can push the soundwave around on screen, in real time. So either pushing parts of the "wave" up or down to create a unique sound.

A sound track will be played for 10 seconds before the user has control, then he/she will need to copy the original track as close as possible. If that user becomes more than 80% accurate to the original track, they win a goldfish.

This will attract the public by interesting visuals onscreen and children wanting a goldfish. Also with the possibility of a ranking system (who gets the most accurate) it provides replayability for the competitive type. But all this will require 20p if the user wants a shot at the prizes on show.

Clapclap

"Visual sound wave which you'll need to replicate with clapping. Accurate clapping required."

Once again, a visual sound wave will be projected onto a screen but in the shape of a circle. This will be constantly pulsing untill the user interacts with it. This time, after the 20p has been received a pre made beat will play from the previous user. The current user needs to copy this by clapping. A microphone will pick up higher pitched noises loud enough, such as clapping to pulse the sound wave.

This pulsing circle will be very vibrate and obviously to wandering public to attract attention. Goldfish, cakes or other toys for prizes will attract the younger audience to participate.

Village Fete

With a start of a new term, the project beings. This time we're doing a "Village Fete" which involves balls and coconuts, booths and prizes. This is proving to be more exciting as each day passes with an ocean full of ideas flooding out of everyones minds. Ultimately we need to design and create a booth that will interest people to raise money for the local church roof and thus, here are some ideas thats been condured up.

Car football

Having 12 remote cars on a mini football pitch, try and knock the oversized ball into the net. Whoever scores a goal gets a prize. The more balls scored by one person, the better the prise.


Monster destory village

Control a mini machnical monster through a village and get a prize for knocking all the buildings down in the time limit.


Skate paint

Half pipe with two people on a skateboard with sprayed paint coming off the wheels.


Piano

Oversized piano that the user needs to complete a set amount of key strokes to win.


Stumps

Climb the stumps and get to the top. Certain stumps may light up which will need to be followed to successfully complete the challenge.


1/4 mile

Using the user's motion of an input device will power the onscreen vechicles down the end of the track. Quickeset movement wins the race.


Bend the pole

Test your strenght with "Bend the pole" and see how far you can pull it down. Much like throw the hammer but upside down. A ranking system will be means of beating the top score.


Tree climb

See how high you can climb the tree to get the apples. Get 10 apples in the time limit to win.


Finger path

Finger path your way through a maze and if by any chance you touch the maze walls, you will get a electric shock. Removing your finger from the maze will also result in failure.


Buggy paint

Much like "Skate paint", people peddle a small plastic car with paint being sprayed onto the wheels. More of your colour in the arena makes you the winner.


Roll bean bag

Mini bean bag inside a maze. Roll it to the end before it fills up with water.


Horse race

Cheer on your horse of choice to increase it's speed. Shouting or shaking the provided gambling tickets will increase your chances.


Clap

Visual sound wave which you'll need to replicate with clapping. Accurate clapping required.


Motion wave

Using visual motion detected by a camera, you'll be able to push a sound file around and destort the music.


These are just some of the ideas presented this past week and will be narrowed down into a favourite 2 or 3. After todays workshop on http://www.cycling74.com/products/maxmsp more ideas have poped up and will be making an addition to the list.

Sputnik

Here is a very nice presentation of the russian built "Sputnik". As TED rightly describes "Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik in 1957 led to both the space race and the arms race -- and jump-started science and math education around the world". Its an interesting 4 minutes and if anything, you'll get a little bit of knowledge on how the space race jumped a gear.

http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/239