DMX, LED cans, and Audio Analysis OH MY!

[grimepoch]

First and foremost, I should mention that I work with anomad (VJ//C) and while having been around modul8 a lot for the last few years, I have not delved into it until tonight. Previously, I had been using Max/MSP with Jitter to do a lot of video mixing, and have written some quite large projects. That said, the speed of javascript and the DMX implementation is a bit slow and caused me a LOT of problems. Granted, the issue is probably me, but I prefer linear programming languages where a few pixels don't decide the order of something running.

What I am saying here is right tool for the job. Modul8 has become my right tool for DMX now.

Tonight I set about to create an automated module that would control two par cans, modulate colors based on two hard coded frequency bands that I picked, and also have it randomly change parameters between a randomly picked time. This is the first part in a much larger collection of modules that we'll be using to drive a bunch of lights at a rave we are throwing.

There is some sort of bug where after the code runs for awhile, the low, mid and high average values at the bottom (which I think are 20,21 and 22 in the array) stop updating. That said, I just accessed the left side only and picked 2nd from last bass and 2nd from top treble. I ran A LOT of music through my module and it worked well on almost all songs.

This is amazing, seriously. I was worried about sending a lot of DMX messages, but modul8 is EXTREMELY efficient and the coloring from the LED cans looks great (they can suffer from flicker since they turn on and off so quickly). Sending individual messages in Max/MSP I could NOT get this good of timing.

I have some cheap plastic containers we are using for temporary diffusers till we build some larger enclosures we have designed to really get these things pumping.

The next step I am waiting for some hardware to come in. I am using a 4 channel RGB ropelight DMX box to control 10 strands of ropelights. 6 sets of RGB (controlled in sets of 2) and 3 chasing sets of rope light, on solid color piece. As I get this all working in my new module for it, I will lay it out and take some video. It is going to be a few weeks before all the parts come in.

One of the things I have been thinking about is using the FFT data to generate some sort of BPM. I watched the values for awhile and think it is possible, but it will not always be accurate. (are they ever) but might be something neat for me to try soon.

Also, another nice built in feature for modul8 would be LFOs. If you had say 4 free running or syncable LFOs with a variety of waveforms, or hand drawn, then say a 10 way modulation matrix to feed those parameters to whatever you want. That would be amazing.

Of course, I imagine you can do this in a module now, but built in would be very nice.

The link to my first test is here:

http://www.vimeo.com/6846325

I apologize if the video is not done converting yet, vimeo puts you in a queue when you are not a plus member, but check back. I go into more details about what I have done to make this work. Granted, this is not amazingly complex, it's like a huge state machine with tons of randomness and conditionals, it still looks pretty.

As me and anomad get some of this stuff cleaned up and more generalized, we'll release some of this code if you all want to play with it. Unfortunately, like for the rope lights, it is VERY hard coded since the setup is so specific, but this is necessary. I've written a film that we are going to use these rope lights in also, and modul8 is DEFINITELY the way to go.

So yeah, absolutely awesome. This is the BEST real time video/effects program I have used. period.
_________________
Rick
Asylum Studio Productions
http://www.asylumstudioproductions.com

[ilan]

Thanks for sharing. I posted this to our blog.
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ilan katin
The Modul8 Team

<< communication is only possible between equals >>

[grimepoch]

Thank you for posting it on what I assume you meant to say was your blog!
_________________
Rick
Asylum Studio Productions
http://www.asylumstudioproductions.com

[ilan]

Was a bit excited plus we're super busy around here. Thanks again for your enthusiasm.
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ilan katin
The Modul8 Team

<< communication is only possible between equals >>

[grimepoch]

One thing I wanted to add is my BIGGEST reason for posting these videos is to inspire others on automation. The last thing I want to see people do is use modul8 as just a glorified manual DMX controller. Not that this isn't important AND a good thing you can do, but it really doesn't show you the beautiful raw power at your fingertips. Getting your hands dirty in a little coding and it is amazing what you can come up with.

It's got me wanting to go out and get more DMX modules!

But now, with some of the more advanced DMX controllable hardware, and video, and some ingenious video projection methods, I cannot image the level of total immersion you can give someone with a show.
_________________
Rick
Asylum Studio Productions
http://www.asylumstudioproductions.com

[ilan]

I think its good to have both options available. For my tastes I would like to see someone like say, Deadalus being able to add his monome tapping magic to controlling lights and video along with his music.
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ilan katin
The Modul8 Team

<< communication is only possible between equals >>

[grimepoch]

I totally agree. I usually put implementations into three categories when I am writing things:

(1) Full Automatic
(2) Full Manual
(3) Manual Augmented Automatic

Most of the stuff I write, I like to do Full Automatic, but bring a lot of software together that works over either MIDI or OSC. Mainly because I like iTunes visualizer when I listen to music, but I find it doesn't always do the best job of automatically bringing visuals to audio.

Anomad does a lot of Full Manual, and Augmented Automatic, which is you have manual controls that drive a bunch of automatic stuff. For instance, his heat of the moment plugin is manually started and configured, but goes off and does a lot of automation with what the video is doing, if that makes sense. I think most of the stuff that will be neat will be manual augmented automatic, so that people performing trigger patterns of operations to what they are doing.

Luckily, this is ALL possible with Modul8.

If you are a big fan of monome, then you need to see this product which was announced a very short time ago, and will be shipping Nov 1st (apparently):

http://www.novationmusic.com/launchpad
_________________
Rick
Asylum Studio Productions
http://www.asylumstudioproductions.com

[ilan]

Very nice outline. I can 2nd that by stating that 'if it looks and sounds good then I am happy.'

Funny you should mention the Novation/Ableton device. I found out about it a couple of hours ago.
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ilan katin
The Modul8 Team

<< communication is only possible between equals >>

[rsarosi]

Launchpad is very inspirating but it will need MIDI feedback from Modul8. Is it possible in 2.6? MIDI feedback is native function or have to be solved with a module? And is it possible to get the mapped MIDI CC/Note/Chanel within a script?

Thanks.

[boris]

Using MIDI feedback, MIDI CC/Note/Chanel is possible through the Module system.

[ilan]

BTW... the Launchpad is only $199! While not as elegant as the monome its definitely a much cheaper option.
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ilan katin
The Modul8 Team

<< communication is only possible between equals >>

[rsarosi]

[grimepoch]

As for the MIDI stuff, I'll personally not be able to answer that just yet, as I am JUST getting into that now.

Yes, the launchpad for $199 is an amazing deal, and I agree, while not as elegant as the monome (at least from what I can tell) that demo they give is just amazing.

We've been using the Livid Ohm controller (not the 64 that just came out), and while I like the buttons, the lack of feedback makes it tough. My true desire is for them to get the flexible display technology a little better and have color displays in each button Like some of the OLED buttons but with rubber buttons.

Well I just bought a audio->midi time clock device made by redsound some expect some awesomeness soon!
_________________
Rick
Asylum Studio Productions
http://www.asylumstudioproductions.com

[ilan]

Curious what audio/midi time clock you got.

I am only vaguely familiar with this one:
http://www.redsound.com/products
_________________
ilan katin
The Modul8 Team

<< communication is only possible between equals >>

[The Midi Thief]

I've got the Soundbite Micro and I wasn't that impressed. If you'd like to fully automize the beat sync, you'd be disapointed. Due to how the analysis work, it will take about 10 sec to reajust to a new song. That's 10 seconds out of sync for every song where there is a change of BPM. You can always hit a button on the device and it will calculate right away, but then it's not fully automated. I fell back to just changing the beat manually instead of using my Soundbite Micro.

For PC there is a software called AudioBoxBaby that will eliminates hardware like the Soundbite. Well actually it doesn't output a standard Midi Clock signal yet, but it will soon according to the author. And it will be ported to OSX. I thing the author is working on it now. Keep an eye out for it.

Another thing I figured out. This might just be a personal thing but for tunes with a tempos over 120 I like the visual sync (listen to the music, lookig at the blinking square and adjust) better while as for tempos under 120 BPM tapping seems to work better for me.