Electro
acoustic performance with Laptop, Laser, Photonic AM detector/
sensor & optical interface.
In
this performance a Laser (rather that a water jet) is used to amplify & transmit
minute inaudible sounds. Based on an early experiment in sound
recording, where a water jet was used to record
sound to a wax cylinder.
Performance at Collision Festival 08, Area 10, London. Image thanks
to Olga Korolev.
With this technology
it is possible to hear
the sound of light. See also the
iLog
Photo synthesizer; This hand held device
is used as an instrument able to detect the high frequency hum from
TFT screens,
cameras,
and even create techno beats from a bicycle light.
Above; a laser is used to amplify the movements of water creatures.
A tripod modified laser is projected through a droplet of fluid - or 'Fluid lens'
this fluid contains microscopic creatures who's movements generate sound.
Daphnia passing through the laser and creating distortions with the movement
of the body and antennas - Additionally the fluid lens responds to subsonic architectural
'sound'.
The sounds are filtered so it is possible to focus, sonically on micro- acoustic
sounds of the creatures within the droplet. The effect of the creature moving,
bouncing on and off the wall of the droplet causes the lens to shake and oscillate
- creating a drum like reverberation.
Above;
Sounds 'reflected' from the surface of a symbol.
The earliest experiment using the concept of AM transmission was made at Bell
Laboratories - where they used a water jet to record the conversation and ambient
sounds in a room and etch these to wax cylinder. CV Boys demonstrates the ability
of a water jet to amplify the sound of a ticking clock and a tuning fork. (CV
boys - Soap Bubbles and the
forces that mould them) - the water jet is used to amplify the sound form the
clock.
Opto-acoustic amplitude modulator
This is an instrument which uses light as the control mechanism. It both transmits
and receives audio data through light radiation.
Above - Light
sensors with Lens device - This helps focus the sensors,
giving them accuracy over distance. Rather than using a camera to
monitor movements in space, a series of light sensors act like simple
biological eyes
The optical interface uses light sensors and lenses to control MAX
MSP software.
The darkened space is located with glowing rock crystals which are
the prime source of visual input for the participant. This encourages
movement among the light sources in the room; which in-turn causes
changes in the ambient sound environment itself.
LEDs of different colours transmit sound, which can be detected using
the photo sensors. Where the beams of the LEDs cross the sounds intermix.
AM
transmitters radiate
light which can be listened to with the sensors.
Diffraction
grating glasses/sensor
Distorts visual input emphasizing light sources
This idea was developed through a number of education projects; Firstly working
with artist Kate Tinney for a workshop for Arts
catalyst in summer 2006 to coincide with the exhibition Space Soon at Roundhouse
London. Later I experimented with this idea through 'Co-Lab' a Sound-network collaborative
project. Further development was possible through a CARA action research project
(Rolls-Royce
Science Prize) - for which the idea was developed to make a permanent interactive
work.
Most recently I developed the Opto-acoustic modulator piece of work an also
used the muio USB interface to create an interactive work at
FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology) and Liverpool John Moores
University for National Science and Engineering Week.
> Project
outline
Using light sensors the computer responds to human movements in space according
to interaction with light. Interaction with sound through light.
Technical
details
Hardware:
Opto-acoustic amplitude modulator (OAM)
12v 500ma
Transforms audio signals into amplitude modulation (AM) transmissions & sends
this to Light Emitting Diode (LED) arrays.
AM transmitters (Lights)
8 x Modified 'Ionising' rock salt crystal lamps.
Multicolored LED arrays illuminate the crystals and radiate AM transmissions
via light.
AM receiver
Changes light into sound.
Light sensors detect 'Amplitude Modulations' in the light and transforms this
into electrical signals and then into sound.
Light sensors with Lens device
This helps focus the sensors, giving them accuracy over distance.
Rather than using a camera to monitor movements in space - a series of light
sensors act like simple biological eyes. This detects movement of people in
the space as they interact with light sources.
Transforms changes in light into electrical signals, which are then converted
by the 'muio' into digital information the computer can use.
Diffraction grating glasses/sensor
Distorts visual input emphasizing light sources
muio
USB interface (6v 500ma)
8x Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC)
Software:
MAX MSP
takes information from muio and generates sounds.
Sound responds to movement of people in the space.
Audacity, Ableton Live.
Plays loops of continuous sound transmitted via rock crystals.
