Further Wii Remotes with Max MSP

From continuing to research through online webpages, I came across this video which has been taken from YouTube:

Uploaded by Boymakesmusic, the video above illustrates the extreme possibilities of using the technology from a Wiimote along with Max MSP. As a part of a school project, "Boymakesmusic" developed several patches that were created using the software Max which was controlled by a Wii Remote in order to generate both IDM style beats and pre-made loops. As a result of this, the video shows how a composition can be gradually created through a range of patches that have been created and controlled by the Wii Remote control. Inevitably after watching this; I felt that this video shows the possible use of creating a patch that generates loops through particular hand or wrist movements by the user which in turn creates a unique performance.
Nevertheless, from this; I feel that it could be worthwhile to develop and create a patch based on a number of loops which would be triggered by the Wii Remote. These loops could be triggered when the ball (containing the remote control) would be struck by a tennis bat; however, I feel that further research and class discussions will allow myself to develop a working patch.

Wii Remotes and Max MSP

After researching on YouTube for videos based on people using the technology of the Wii Remote Control along with the software Max MSP, I came across this following video which illustrates how the user charytanaka has created a patch using Max MSP which controls and imitates the wiimote as a theramin. As a result of this, this shows the capability and the possibilities of using a Wii remote controller alongside with Max, from this, I think that it is essential for myself to continue researching for videos such as this in order for myself to gain inspiration for when I will develop a patch used for my Wii Remote Tennis idea.

Wii Remote Connection

After proposing my end of term "Tennis Wii Remote" idea to the Performance Technology class, I felt that it was particularly important to research into softwares and Max MSP patches that would allow myself to control a Wii remote (which would be placed within a ball) to a pre-made patch in Max5.

After researching online web forums and having a discussion with Simon, we decided to use a software named OSCulator as this software has been designed to synchronise electronic gadgets to a range of MIDI sequencers as well as supporting softwares such as Max MSP, SuperCollider etc.  After downloading OSCulator, I tried to sync the "wiimote" to the computer but had a number of connection problems which were soon resolved after I changed the batteries and pressed the sync button placed within the battery compartment. 

When connected, I then opened a pre-made patch in Max MSP created by OSCulator which displays the positioning of the Wii remote controller concerning pitch, roll, yaw and scalar acceleration data; this patch is displayed below:

As a result of connecting the Wii to Max MSP, the next stage that I think will be essential will be  to create a patch which will be designed around the movement and positioning of the Wii Remote, from this, I think that it may be beneficial for myself to research and investigate whether people are already using Wii Remotes with softwares such as Max and the possibilities of producing a range of sounds.

Proposed Project for Performance Technology

As a result of attending the Tramway Showcase in Glasgow, this gave me a "hands on" opportunity to see how people are using and developing modern technology in order to produce unique musical experiences; from this, I have devised my own idea in which I would like to develop further. I have proposed a project that will showcase at the end of term Performance Technology concert that will use both the technology a Wii remote control as well as the software of Max MSP. The following information outlines the basis of this idea as well as areas in which I will need to both investigate and develop. 

The Wii is a video game console which was released by Nintendo in 2006  which has developed the idea of allowing users to control and manipulate functions of  the console through the use of motion sensors which is achieved through the technology used within the  remote control. The Wii Remote is a wireless motion sensing controller which has used both accelerometer and optical sensor technology in order to allow the user to control the gaming of the console through wrist/arm movements which ultimately offers a unique experience when playing.                                                                                  

From this, my proposed idea for the Performance Technology Showcase is to use the technology within the Wii Remote to create an object which produces sound depending on the movement of the controller. When walking around Tramway, I noticed that many of the installations allowed and encouraged the public to interact with them and from this, I want to create an instrument that requires human interaction.

From this, I have decided to incorporate the technology used within the Wii Remote and to develop this within a sporting activity. My proposed idea is to place the wii remote into a ball which will be used in a game of Tennis, Badminton, Swingball, Football etc. When placed inside a ball, the wii remote will be wirelessly connected to a patch created in Max MSP which will produce a range of sounds depending on the movement of the controller.

As a rough idea, this project requires a lot of research and design developments as there are many areas in which I need to investigate including:

*The physical weight/dimensions of the Wii remote and the possibilities of placing this within a ball.

* How to connect the Wii Remote to Max MSP and to research any software which allows myself to do this.

* Creating a patch which is designed around the movement of the Wii Remote and which successfully works accordingly. 

*Anthropometric problems which may arise and any difficulties regarding human interaction.

In conclusion, the next stage of this idea is to research and look into the connection between using the controller alongside with Max MSP.

   

TramWay Presents John Cage MusiCircus

Saturday 26th February 2011

Along with my Performance Technology Class, I attended the  "John Cage MusiCircus" which took place at a venue in Glasgow named Tramway, that allowed musicians to showcase a number of interactive workshops as well as performances throughout the full day. Nevertheless, these workshops were mainly aimed towards young children to a certain extent, whilst the technology used within many of the sound installations illustrated creative thinking as well as technological advancements.  As a result of this, from watching several workshops, I have been inspired to develop an idea for the end of term technology performance.; this idea will be illustrated in the following blog.

Circuit Bending

Example of Circuit Bending

After thinking about ideas and projects that I can pursue with Performance Technology, I am going to research and look further into "Circuit Bending".

Circuit Bending is the short circuiting of electronic devices such as guitar effects pedals, small children toys and small synthesisers to produce new musical sound generators. The methodology of circuit bending is achieved through bisecting an electronic device and connecting any two circuit locations with a "jumper wire", as a result; this will send a current  from one part of the circuit into another. After experimenting with this, it is possible to connect components such as switches, resistors or capacitors at this point which have the ability to change the quality of the audio output of the device.

Example of a kids toy with circuit bending

From researching youtube, I have came across a range of people that have experimented with circuit bending and have used this method with electronic devices ranging from, kid toys to Gameboys:

The video above has been taken from Circuit Master's  You Tube account, the video shows the ability of circuit bending a gameboy through adding an oscillator. An oscillator is an electronic circuit which produces an electronic signal; often as a sine wave. From using the gameboy to play a Super Mario game, circuit master has used the oscillator to change and alter the sounds produced from the game.

As a result of this, I think that it would be interesting in researching further into Circuit Bending and developing an idea where I can take an electronic device and alter the sounds through adding necessary components. From this, I feel that it is important to look at videos where people have used circuit bending with technology which will give me a further knowledge within this field.
  

Max MSP Korg Nano Pad Patch

As a result of working with the Korg Nano Pad  and  Max MSP, I have managed to create my own patch which is featured in the video above which shows myself demonstrating and experimenting with the patch that I have created.

After connecting the Pad and carrying out a MIDI Tester on Max MSP, I wanted to create a patch that was suitable for the trigger and X/Y pads on the Nano Pad. From this, I started my patch with a "notein" object which receives MIDI information sent from the Nano Pad, after this I routed each of the 12 trigger pads through using both the "strip note" and the "route" objects. Ultimately this gave me the ability to create unique and different sounds for each of the trigger pads, I achieved this through the "cycle- object" which is an interpolating oscillator that has allowed me to create sounds for each pad. Furthermore, with the X/Y axis I wanted to use this to control the frequency of one of my pad sounds, I achieved this through using the "ctlin" object as well as the "mtof" object which gave me the ability to change the frequency of the trigger pad.

The picture below is the Max MSP Nano Pad Patch that I have created:

My MAX MSP Patch for this controller can be downloaded here