Results for design

Some interesting things I found recently:

# Meet Marv (Marv), a MIDI Actuated Robotic Vibraphone.

Marv can play music of high complexity, far more complex than a human player could ever achieve, as Marv is capable of striking any and all keys simultaneously, as well as damping each key individually. Marv can play much faster than a human vibraphonist, repeating single notes as quickly as 25ms apart. Marv can play with sensitivity and feeling limited only by MIDI programming effort. Marv is a platform for further research on musical automation and real-time musical interaction.

# Record grooves under an electron microscope

Via SynthGear:

Chris Supranowitz is a researcher at The Insitute of Optics at the University of Rochester. Along with a number of other spectacular studies (such as quantum optics, trapping of atoms, dark states and entanglement), Chris has decided to look at the relatively boring grooves of a vinyl record using the institute’s electron microscope. Well, not boring for me.

A single record groove, magnified 1000 times

Awesome images! Lots more on Chris’ website (note to those who are entomophobic; includes ladybug and fly images).

Some interesting things I found recently:

# Tentacle-box, mobile musicstation with beatsynched lights.

Johan Larsby made himself a portable sound system so he can do shows wherever he goes.

It should be able to work without being connected to an outlet. It should have lights and it shouldn't be to heavy to move around. Ateast not by a small wagon. And it should be loud. Not Mötorhead loud but loud enough. It should also be cheap enough so that I would not cry if it got trashed or stolen after a few gigs/parties.

# The Stretta Procedure: Z-DSP Experiments

Matthew Davidson writes:

I'm one of the lucky few beta testers of the new TipTop Audio Z-DSP eurorack module, and boy is it a lot of fun. The Z-DSP is a lot like the TipTop Audio Z5000, except embiggened. A lot. There are three CV controlled parameters per program. There is a feedback loop that you can tap into on the front panel so you can insert a filter or whatever module you can think of inside a part of the DSP process that is usually closed to tinkering. You can change the personality of the DSP by inserting a different card on the front panel. You can even voltage control the clock. This is serious sound-mangling mayhem.

The short audio files I produced represent only one patch idea using one program on one card on this module. I could spend a great deal of time exploring various options without even changing the DSP program on the Z-DSP. The fact that I could load another program is another whole world of possibilities. If, somehow you got bored of that, you can load a card with a different batch of programs. Egads, this thing is endless.

# Pseudo scratching In Ableton Live 8

Video showing how to emulate a scratch-like effect in Ableton Live 8 using the new delay Modes available in the Ping Pong Delay. This is not meant to replace vinyl, nor will it produce a totally authentic sounding scratch sound, but it is a Ableton Live only solution and is a nice add on to your effects arsenal.

The template is available to download here.

# recycled cassette tape thin necktie

sonic fabric neckties by improbable projects:

the sonic fabric neckties are a limited-edition project made in collaboration with my designer friend julio cesar. sonic fabric is woven from 50% recorded audio cassette tape and 50% colored thread the fabric is actually audible if you run a tape head over it! (if you’d like a demo, please visit my youtube channel at alyceobvious.

the idea behind the tie is that the wearer becomes a beacon for other-dimensional, intangible, subtle forces of good…much in the manner of a superhero. only this part of the superhero garb can be worn on the outside in the most conservative environment without detection! looks equally great with dress shirt or t-shirt. this tie is the thinner version – 2" wide at the widest point. i also make a slightly wider version for more mature audiences.

the sound collages recorded onto the tape for this batch of ties comes from my cd between stations, and is based on looped and layered samples collected on and under the streets of nyc.

TeamDNR has announced it is looking for new members.

TeamDNR, a collaborative group of designers, developers and producers is looking for new members to join in a variety of roles. Visit our designers FAQ to learn more about the group and how it operates.

Roles include demo composition, interface design, Ableton device chain and macro design, and sound design/sample creation.

If you think you’d like to work in a collaborative group, please feel free to apply. Please make sure to fill the application form out completely and if you have a CV/Resume/Bio please attach it as well. Application reviews are done manually and may take up to 24 hours to complete.

Also, please note that all TeamDNR products have been relocated to http://www.teamdnr.net

More information: TeamDNR

Some interesting things I found recently:

# Nudge

Hobnox has launched Nudge, a virtual-instrument widget designed for self-expressive online music making & sharing.

It’s fun and simple to use and you don’t need to know a single thing about producing music to make your own individual songs in minutes!

Brought to you by the developers of the Audiotool, nudge is yet another example of the pioneering work of the team dedicated to creating the best online music production tools.

Nudge features

• Includes 8 different sounds.
• 16 Step Matrix allows drawing or selecting notes with your mouse.
• Adjust each Track Volume & Panorama to correct the mix & set the overall Master volume.
• Tempo can be adjusted.
• Get + Share feature sends links and emails to your friends.
• Embed the widget on your own profile, blog or webpage.

Lots of fun, just try it below.

# DSO nano by Seeed Studio.

DSO nano is a pocket size digital storage oscilloscope fulfills basic electronic engineering requirements.

It is based on ARM Cortex™-M3 compatible 32 bit platform, equipped with 320*240 color display, SD card capability, USB connection, and chargeable batteries. Weighs only 60g!

More details on the Seeed Studio blog.

# PIC_MIDI

Giancarlo Todone of nerds’ headquarter posts introduces to PIC_MIDI, a homebrew solution for converting an old keyboard to MIDI.

An "open" electronic project involving a Microchip PIC 18F452, two simple and cheap de-mux 74hc138, a bunch of passive components and some software to build a MIDI master keyboard controller supporting velocity, continuous controller handling and strict adherence to MIDI protocol. Ease of setup and cheapness of required parts make this project suitable for intermediate hobbists, while technical specs such as low latency and high sensitivity to note-velocity make the device desirable for all musicians and DIY enthusiasts having an old keyboard lying around. EAGLE CAD schematics allow for quick circuit understanding and assisted production of custom PCB, while simple MikroC PIC code provides additional customizability in circuit's behaviour.

Some interesting things I found recently:

# Toy Piano Rescue Project

Ranjit Bhatnager bought a toy piano on eBay, but it got damaged in transport.

For Awesome August I'm trying to make something of this ebay toy piano that got smashed by UPS. The music is Philip Glass's "Modern Love Waltz," inspired by toy pianist Margaret Leng Tan. (I used it previously)

More info: Ranjit Bhatnager / Awesome August

# DOWNLOADMYDRUMS

Dan "Danno" Miller recently posted about my samples on his website. He is running a music production blog that offers free, downloadable, royalty free, high quality, one shot wav file, drum samples with virtually no restrictions of use.

Dan writes:

Whether you’re just dabbling in music production or you’re the hottest mega-producer in the game, you will always need new, crisp, high quality, punch you in the mouth drum samples. Most producers are very secretive with their drum samples. They spend a lot of time and money tweaking their kicks, hats, and snares to try to come up with their signature sounds. While I do feel that developing your sound is important and I would encourage all producers to do so, it’s also important to expand you drum collection so you have a buttload of options. I look at it like this; just because you give two painters the same paints, doesn’t mean they’ll paint the same picture. So I’m sharing my drums, presets, tips, etc. with the hope that someday a producer will come along, be inspired by what i’ve given away for free, think outside the box, and create music that’s completely different.

# ArpShift by Edward Loveall

ArpShift is a melodic, interval based, poly-rhythmic arpeggiator. It’s relatively simplistic in nature with only 3 pages and 7 lanes. However, it is flexible in it’s simplicity, and is able to take stagnant melodies and turn them into flowing, never repeating music.

# Contexture Design: 45 Nano

45 Nano Cases are made from reclaimed cassette tapes, gutted, routered and rebuilt to fit your 4th generation iPod nano.

Some interesting things I found recently, and not so recently (since it’s been a while since I posted short links).

# Guitare à crayon

The idea behind “la Guitare à crayon” is to be able to paint and play music with the same instrument (crayon mean pencil in english). It’s a custom usb guitar with open source software: namely, pure data (for sound) and gimp, blender, flash (for visual).

Guitare à crayon

• Hardware features:
  • Accelerometer X-Axis (for example controlling the octave)
  • Accelerometer Y-Axis (for example controlling an effect)
  • 6 analog strings giving around 10 bits of resolution
  • External input: 1 analog, 1 digital
  • 4 positions switch
  • 8 buttons
  • 4 pots
  • 1 piezo with velocity filter (for example trigging any sound)
  • 1 ir distance sensor (+-6cm – +-20cm)
  • 1 unuseful led (for tapping the bpm)
  • Pressure-sensitive tablet
  • Foot controller (using a led & a photoresistor)
  • Foot switch (looper, change sound, …)
• Software features:
  • No driver (firmware & bootloader)
  • Linux, Windows, Mac
  • Pure Data poweful DSP (sample, soundfont, fx rack, multiple looper)
  • Gimp for 2d (drawing, painting, photo, …)
  • Gesture tracking on the tablet (linux only)

# 8 Track Walkman-Pod thing (Retro-tech)

Instructables user XenonJohn writes:

This is an admittedly mad project to see what might have happened if Sony had invented the Walkman earlier than they did – and made it so it took 8 track tape cartridges (which came before cassette tapes were invented).

In other words, can I make a personal 8 track player with just headphones in the style of a Walkman?

# CASSETTE IS NOT DEAD – A lamp made of cassette tapes by ooomydesign.com

You can replace the cassette tapes with your own as well

Available in transparent and colored cassette tapes, 20x13x12cm, price 35 EUR.

# Palalab’s Free Music Loops, Samples in ACID™ .WAV format

Palalab is offering free multi-instrumental sample loops in a variety of styles designed to be different, inspire your songwriting and fill out your mix. All loops can be used royalty-free, are properly ACID™ized for quality pitch and tempo transposition, and loop seamlessly.

Every week Palalab posts a new sample pack consisting of 5 loops. Each pack stays up for 4 weeks only, so be sure to bookmark this page and check back regularly.

# Download Free Korg nanoPAD, nanoKONTROL Scripts for Ableton Live

Peter Kirn writes:

The KORG nanoSERIES has a rabid following among many Ableton Live users, and with good reason. The nanoPAD and nanoKONTROL street for about US$60, provide basic knobs + faders + transport (KONTROL) and pads and X/Y control (PAD), plus a fully-featured, cross-platform editor, but still fit in a backpack. They’re small enough to use in coach on an airplane.

Having to open Live templates, however, just to get the mappings you want is a big pain. So, instead I’ve created a basic set of MIDI Remote Scripts and Kontrol Editor templates for Mac and Windows, Live 6.x and later, and wanted to share them with you.

# Techniques for dealing with Phase

Jon @ Audio Geek Zine takes a look at what phase is and how to avoid problems with it in your productions.

Phase is a constant concern for recording and mixing engineers. Problems with phase can ruin your music, they can be easily avoided or corrected, but first you need understand how these problems occur.

This guide will attempt to explain almost everything there is to know about phase, what it is, how it happens, what it can sound like and some techniques to deal with it.