Project Timeline Summary

A visual summary of the project in terms of the iterative project development.

Also cleaned up another record bug discovered when recording out using the Beast Box standalone;

• This bug was caused by the absence of an initial value in the parameter settings, which resulted in the recording once activated, not ceasing until Beast Box was closed down. 

Beast Box is now available in three editions that offer different UI environments;

Beast Box - Standard

Beast Box - Miami Nights

Beast Box - Blue Steel

9th Supervisor Meeting

Progress Report;

• Getting dissertation draft, currently focusing on project chapter and literature review
• Got iPad OSC improved display, however issues exist with the multi-xy pad 
• Continuing debugging and optimising
• Had a wavetable element feature, but it seemed too distant/un-connected to the overall prototype
• Other apps have been discovered such as Fantastick and c74
• Stack overflow still exists

Agreed Action Points;

• Technical optimisation - Wave, Sample Rates
• Debugging/Functionality
• More written work
• Framework for post mortem/project evaluation

8th Supervisor Meeting

Meeting Agenda; Progress.

Progress Report;

• Running prototype 6.6/6.7 
• Streamlined flow
• Redesigned FX for parallel mix control to present an FX blend
• Filtering very intuitive on iPad
• Looked at Pure Data, missing object problems with running PD Extended
• Dodge objects - Comb~/Clip~
• Inverse concept a x10 multiplier that opens up for higher sound generation
• STACK OVERFLOW - Possible to resolve using more specific programming  
• Flext SDK for taking things further making custom Max/PD objects using a C base language

Agreed Action Points

• Inverse Mode
• More Filtering Combinations (Dynamic suggested at least looking at)
• iPad design improvements
• Pre-Main-Post for Signal/FX flow
• Investigate parameter automation

Feedback

With the crit feedback, the iPad support feedback was very positive as it allows for a more intuitive form of control.
Will have to address the XY control issues, probably due to scaling and value attribution.

And should things get serious around taking it further in Max or PD using code, there is a dedicated C++ based SDK;
http://grrrr.org/research/software/flext/

Beast Box Post-Mortem

Currently a higher level affair, mainly aimed at adding context to the collection of objects and flow charts within the Max MSP patches that detail the prototypes process.
This analysis is only currently featured in the parent patch, but will also be present in the associated subpatches that are referenced and integrated through the use of the send and receive objects.

The current overview of the post-mortem in patching mode. 

A close-up of the input analysis window.

6th Supervisor Meeting

Progress Report

Features;

• CPU meter
• Help
• Driver Selection Options
• More Stylised Design
• Umenu presets
• Record Output Option (wave format)

UI;

• Complete rescale, views at 100% instead of 30%-50%.
• More accessible user control (XY, sample selection)
• Extreme shadow design implementation 

Export

• Export executable more functional

Scaling Update

The scaling finishing touches are almost complete, the purple arrows point out the additional improvements in functionality the scaling has provided.

Arrow I; The XY control interfaces are now more intuitive and easier to use. 

Arrow II; The sample can be seen for reference and modifying the loop selection.

Arrow III; The scaling also allows improvement over the umenu object for selecting presets.

5th Supervisor Meeting

Meeting Agenda;
Progress - Currently running on Prototype 4.2; placeholder name for prototype, 'BEAST BOX'.

Progress Report;
Features

• Bypass
• Sample Selection Tool
• Hints
• XY Control Interface
• Transparent colour utilisation
• Initial value integration
• TAB

Modules

• Improved filtering - Cascading BPFs 'Shaper'
• 'Morpher' tools; Morpher 1 pitch against peak filter frequency. Morpher 2 destroyer/bit crusher
• 'Chamber' plate reverb unit
• FX Routing
• Recording input option; 'Live Mode'.

UI

• Complete design overhaul
• Attains better to colour theory concepts
• Buttons replaced with TAB latching controls

Scrapped features for time being

• Noise generators
• Filter cutting

Study

• Continuing case study
• Examining additional UI and functionality of Max MSP projects and commercial synth units such as Reasons in-house units, Alchemy and Massive.

Agreed Action Points;

• Loop envelope tools
• Tab windows
• Granular 
• Master FX
• Comb filter
• Case Studies
• Record Out
• Record level and gain

Prototype Progress by Iteration

Prototype 1 

The first prototype consisted of a very basic build that satisfied the need of getting acquainted with Max/MSP, and accommodating a very basic model for comparative frequency analysis between two sound sources. Analysis was presented with the use of spectroscopes, still the drive for realism within the project scope. Whilst gizmo~ did manage to address the human source in terms of bringing down the pitch, the resulting sound is very artificial sounding.     

•    Featured a pitch shifter to address the human source
•    Used looped sound effect playback
•   An attempt at filtering
•   A spectrum analyser

Prototype 2 

A very significant and lengthy collection of iterations from 2.0 through to 2.9 that dealt with addressing the source using a different method of pitch stretching that changes the playback speed of the sample, instead of the resampling method.

This change in process outlined a strong limitation, which presented itself with no longer being able to run in real-time; given it natures of being a time stretching pitch changer.

The series of builds also defined the first utilisation of presentation mode to create a basic UI and develop it, with the most significant design-oriented builds that ran from 2.4 onwards. The resulting layout aesthetic was very modular and featured high contrast colours. Functionality additions were implemented including;

• ·         The choice to bypass and activate elements
• ·         The use of dial control to change the pitch that adapts in real-time
• ·         More object implementation
• ·         Granular attempt
• ·         Filtering issues
• ·         Noise generators
• ·         First export

Prototype 3 and 3.5  

Prototypes 3 and 3.5 were developed side by side but with different focuses. 3 focused on the developing the sound elements, whilst 3.5 focussed on the visual components. The modular layout aided in providing a model for higher level design work in relation to planning prospective features/effects.

A plate reverb unit taken from the patches provided from Max (Yafr) was implemented under the name Chamber.

·         Attempt at UI, result; very modular

3.2 Technical Notes

Prototypes 3 and 3.5 were developed side by side but with different focuses.

·         Routable effects

·         Reverb

·         Sample Selection tool

·         Initial values

·         Recording input for live mode

·         Presents higher level design prospects and layout

·         Experiment with comb

Prototype 3.5

·         Main redesign focus

·         Filtering improved

·         Presets

·         Discovered the pictslider object which would be utilised for XY control in current prototype and retrofitted into P3

·         Hint implementation to aid in functionality

·         First Morpher module in the form of a peak filter for additional frequency customisation

Prototype Reflection

Looking back at what has been attempted and integrated in the prototype thus far;

• Modules (More considerable features)
• 'Input' - Has file open, play, stop and loop controls, along with a input level and sample select tool.
• 'Beast' - Utilises time stretching to address the sound source, with presets.
• 'Shaper' - Contains a series of six cascading band pass filters to simulate a biological resonator.
• 'Morpher' - Uses the common XY pad system to manipulate sound features. 
• 'Scope' - Spectrum analyser.
• 'Output' - Section with master level, meters and output audio on/off. 
• Features (Functionality and design)
• Bypassing
• Presets
• Presets within presets
• Dial control
• Hints
• Transparent colours

Challenging features;

• Granular - Struggling with the integration of this with live audio, works fine with generated tones from an oscillator.
• Pitch Bend
• Freq Shift
• Noise - Will only be functional with some sort of dynamic control.
• Loop select optimization - Locks to first loop choice. 

Prospective features;

• Live mode
• Recording
• Cross synthesis
• Mix blend tool

A quick comparsion of just over a weeks difference for the overall and prospective design;

Have also now realised I can make items translucent using the colour charts, so I have overlapped the gain over the level meter to make it look it more intuitive and professional (in the output section);