1. digital effects pedals
As a musician, I've always had an interest in sound. After messing around with the "melody" sketch on the Arduino, the idea of actually modifying a source of sound, rather than creating it from scratch popped up. Programming sound (sequence, pitch, volume, range, etc.) is very interesting to me.
I then realized that this is exactly what digital effects pedals do, which are widely used by guitarists and vocalists. An analog input, such as a microphone or an electric guitar, is sent through an array of code to be processed, and is then outputted, through speakers, as a brand new sound.
The inputted sound is able to be modified in realtime with the use of multiple potentiometers (knobs) that control specific properties. Because of its ability of real-time modification, the user is able to mix and create endless varieties of sound by individually tweaking the potentiometers.
sources:
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4924348_guitar-effects-pedals-work.html
http://www.proaudiovideo.net/cheapbandgear/large/DR400.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y356KXesnAs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y356KXesnAs&feature=related
2. Arik Levy's Luminescence (digitally simulated by 3st)
Another interesting piece I found is a combination of sound and on-screen visuals. Arik Levy, a modern artist, produced a series of light sculptures which were digitally simulated and repurposed by 3st Studios. 3st produced an on-screen, interactive simulation where the intensity of the visual was dictated by the intensity of sound picked up by a microphone.
In this case, the microphone was used as a sensor to convert the intensity of sound into numbers, which went through processing to create a constantly changing visual output.
The viewer of 3st's reproduction would most likely notice the constant changing of the visual. Sound is everywhere, constantly varying in intensity. The viewer, using their senses of sight and hearing, would most likely make the connection that the sound dictates the design, coaxing them into making sounds or speaking into it.
sources:
http://3st.com/#/clients/designers/arik_levy
http://www.ariklevy.fr/domain/project/928
2.2 The Table Talk Project
I found this very interesting as well. Like previous example, this too is dictated by sound, but not visually simultaneous. Instead of the visual, expanding and retracting like the previous example, this one leave more of a mark or a trail. It shows a visual of how long or how much was being said.
sources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEGwsfpHevU&feature=related
2.2 The Table Talk Project
I found this very interesting as well. Like previous example, this too is dictated by sound, but not visually simultaneous. Instead of the visual, expanding and retracting like the previous example, this one leave more of a mark or a trail. It shows a visual of how long or how much was being said.
sources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEGwsfpHevU&feature=related
3. Security Systems
One thing we encounter often, and most of the time pass, is the CCS security system. Everytime we use the elevators at the Taubman center, we are required to flash our card at a sensor. The card contains a specific set of information that is read and recognized by an analog sensor. The information is sent to a "computer" which processes the received data. If valid, the computer sends out a signal to the output to physically grant access.
This interaction teaches the users that they are under surveillance and they have a limited access to things.
sources:
Konicek, Joel. Security, ID Systems, and Locks. Butterworth-Hienemann, 1997. 244. Print.
