[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: [microsound] laptop performance / locative media
Hi Chad,
chad vollrath wrote:
The MapHub application also has the ability to record the location that
the sound came from (given that the person who records it is able to
identify the location and enter it into their phone/PDA/or other mobile
device). But I don't know if this would be useful for a performance.
What do you all think - any ideas? Feedback? Does anyone know of any
similar projects?
Sounds very similar to a project I am developing for PDAs and webserver
for STEIM right now:
http://www.umatic.nl/projects_pandev.html
I'll have a deeper look at your project a bit later and maybe we can
swap notes!
best,
derek
***
The PANDev "Psycho Acoustic Navigational Device"
PANDev is intended to be an sound-gathering and processing application
written for PDAs and other portable devices running Linux. Its purpose
is to assist psychogeographers, phonographers and sound artists in the
collection and arrangement of environmental sound material for research
and creative purposes. PANDev is conceived to remove the isolating
intentionality of the specialist--the artist, the geographer, the
ecologist, the phonographer, the biologist, the ethnographer, the
sociologist, etc--and replace it with a more accessible and holistic
method of gathering sounds. When activated, PANDev will take random
sound samples at random lengths and intervals. A simple interface or
command line can be given to specify approximate times, but all specific
recording is left to the application. Connected to the PDA will be a set
of binaural microphones hidden inside quite normal-appearing walkman
headphones. The microphones will reproduce exactly the acoustic
conditions around the wearer, including such important psychoacoustic
spatial cues as front, back, left, right, above, below and relative
distance.
Using PANDev
To use PANDev, all the user need do is input an approximate length of
time to record and an approximate level of randomization. The
application does the rest, and the user is free to travel through their
environment or carry out their day-to-day life. Whether the user chooses
to seek out acoustically-interesting settings or even perform for the
microphone is of little relevance simply because they will not know
exactly when PANDev is capturing sounds. Thus, a more "natural" approach
is recommended. The resulting sounds may be as banal as they are sublime
or exciting, but they are absolutely guaranteed to provide a unique
insight into the user's acoustic environment.
Optional Extensions to PANDev
Remixing Experience
PANDev has several other optional extensions. The first would be the
ability to "remix" the sound material gathered at the end of the
session, with a number of general subjective parameters including
"rhythmic", "drone", "jagged", "smooth", "quiet", "loud", "linear",
"disassociated", etc. An algorithmic composition can then be rendered
and exported in WAV, AIFF, OGG, or MP3 format. It is important to keep
in mind the extremely limited computing possibilities of a PDA [no
floating point processor, for example, which most audio processing
applications depend on!], therefore these algorithmic compositions must
be considered as both pushing the hardware to the limits of its
capabilties as well as an excercise in getting the most out of very
little. Additionally, they provide a new way of remixing daily
existance, with the aim of highlighting previously unnoticed details.
Cartographical Visualization
The second requires the use of a GPS unit attached to the PDA, from
which PANDev would determine geographic coordinates to tag all sound
samples gathered. These GPS-tagged sound samples could then be exported
to a cartographic mapping system, either in realtime via a network [see
below], or locally when each session is completed. For public
exhibition, a running audio/visual display of the sounds gathered in the
area could be maintained in a public or online space in collaboration
Sara Kolster, a graphic and video artist from the Umatic group. See the
following for an example of cartographic representation:
http://berlin.soundscpae-fm.net
Network Awareness
The third involves the using the built-in WIFI of the PDA to activate
the network potential of the unit. PANDev will regularly scan the local
area network of the WIFI card for other units operating the same
software. If another PANDev is located, the two seperate units could
exchange audio data, thereby expanding each individual's realm of
experience. The unit could also upload sounds gathered, along with
cartographic data, to a central server in order to provide either
rela-time monitoring, or the possibility for a sound artist to make a
performative live-mix of the action in progress.
--
derek holzer ::: http://www.umatic.nl
---Oblique Strategy # 149:
"Take a break"
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: microsound-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
For additional commands, e-mail: microsound-help@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
website: http://www.microsound.org