First Draft

I have created a PD patch to use real wave data to shape two oscillator tones, the amplitude, and tempo of a synthesizer. I also have created a system of controlling an ADSR envelope (attack, decay, sustain and release), but have not decided which wave data to use for controls.

The sound output samples can be found here and here. Both utilize real data from times in the last week. The data are taken from the NOAA website (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) for wave data in La Jolla and Torrey Pines. What I find interesting is the relationship of the two temperature readings that are so close, but provide different enough tones to create a harmonic relationship.



My next task is to decide how to control the ADSR envelope, figure out how to pull real time data from the NOAA websites, create a standalone application to run the synthesizer for users that don't have PD, test alternative sound inputs besides sine wave oscillators and implement filters using wind data.

I'm happy with this draft. I like the output because it sounds like waves, but I'd like to add more levels of complexity to it with a wind data filter, a different sound input and perhaps more data sites running simultaneously to create a more dense sound texture.

Project Decision and Timeline

I have decided that this quarter I'll be developing my proposal for creating synthesizers that are controlled by real time data for wind, tides and traffic to create a "song of a city." This project will explore how to describe these sets of data with sound instead of measurements.

Timeline:

3rd Week--Research programming possibilities and decide on logistics (Flash, PD, C++, etc.)

4th Week--Begin programming and decide on synthesizer sounds

5th Week--Continue programming and decide on distribution of sounds (web or recording)

6th Week--Continue programming (depending on progress, start developing graphics)

7th Week--Continue programming (if progress allows, continue graphics and create song for multiple cities)

8th Week--Finish up programming, master the sounds, beautify the graphics

9th Week--Distribute content via the web

10th Week--Develop presentation schedule, ways of demonstration and description

Finals Week--Present the project

Project Ideas

I have three ideas to narrow down into an ICAM 160 senior project:

1. Not webcams, but webmics: Live, streaming microphones set up around campus to describe different areas with sound. A website will allow users to select different areas and listen in.

2. Digital, video controlled theremin: Use Flash or MAX to video track hand motions to control different aspects of a synthesized sound.

3. Real time data controlled synths: Create a "song of a city" by utilizing real time tide levels, wind speed and traffic to control parameters of separate synthesizers.

My goal for this week is to choose a project and decide on a time line of completion.