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

7th Supervisor Meeting

Progress report;

• Segmented presentation and rewire - taking advantage of bpatcher and the send and receive objects that work across patches. The segmentation also makes the prototype a lot more manageable to keep and update.
• Reverse source implemented, but along with a simple switch, two dials are now displayed, one for the normal sound, and one for the reversed.
• Record function always present to export sounds through the different stages
• Segmented audio options and modules
• Signal chain module implemented to display the flow of the signals prototype
• Worked on Granular, still a challenge.
• Major find with the replace message, which rectifies the past problems concerning loading samples, where I previously had the read message.
• Got a basic limiter implemented in the master effects stage.
• Started prototype post mortem.

Agreed Action Points;

• Break-down prototype.
• Investigate real-time options.
• Additional features; envelope, filters.
• Investigate cross synthesis.
• Investigate any outcomes with using audio of different sample rates.
• Investigate Pure Data.  

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

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

4th Supervisor Meeting

Progress Report;

• Got real-time control working for the time stretch using dial.
• Investigated Granular element, done tutorial, but doesn't operate in prototype; the tutorial provided insight in objects and processes like function, preset and encapsulating.
• Using 'Presentation Mode' to create prototype designs and help plan further features to be added.
• Filtering needs tweaking.
• Started case study.

Agreed action points;

• Develop Granular component.
• Develop filtering/filterbanks.
• Add a noise generator.
• Morphing control similar to Alchemy.
• Develop case study addressing why it works, why it doesn't UI features etc.
• Evaluate any DSP issues.
• Master FX like EQ and limiting.
• Scopes and graphs.

2.5.2 with a Filterbank, will be working on bypass features next;

Minor Problems (Granular, Filtering,)

The filtering isn't working as I'd like, only triggering one filter at a time, will rectify this in a standalone test build using simple tone generators. 
The granular element is also needing work.

On the plus side, the UI is taking shape in Build 2.4;

3rd Supervisor Meeting

Progress Report

• Continued familiarisation with Max MSP using the objects Buffer~ and Groove~ to create a time stretching feature for samples, current optimum playback speed - 0.25% of the original sample.
• Revisited the human sound source, influenced by a sound effects tutorial which uses time stretching on short coughs.
• Submitted showcase proposal.
• Haven't mastered Plot~ to generate time-based graphs against attributes like F0.
• Integrated overlapping spectrum analysis in the Gizmo~ (1.0) and Groove~ (2.0) prototypes.
• Sourced a Max MSP Granular tutorial to incorporate these synthesis features in future builds; http://www.cs.au.dk/~dsound/DigitalAudio.dir/Papers/IntroToGranSynth.pdf

Agreed Action Points

• Start including the use of Record~ working with Buffer~ in future builds, working towards the prospective real-time driven elements of the prototype.
• Build and test Granular sound synthesis components.
• Revisit Plot~ to generate temporal analysis graphs. 
• Investigate the inclusion of customizable master effects that can be automated.
• Time stretching that can be editted during playback with the possible use of a fader.

*Found a really useful Max/MSP tutorial source aimed at beginners that discusses a variety of topics such as basic audio techniques, sequencing and synthesis. Also handy to get another resource to help increase object knowledge, and application.

http://www.paulschuette.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/DEMYSTIFYING-MAXMSP.pdf

2nd Supervisor Meeting

Meeting Agenda - Plan of action.

Progress Report;

• Familiarisation with Max MSP, comparing frequency shifting against pitch shifting. Pitch shifting sounds cleaner and more appropriate
• Using a sample in playback for more efficient tailoring to material  
• Attempting in-house analysis and monitoring

Agreed Action Points

• Different animal settings
• Analysis inclusion to create measurable parameters and data
• Usability features
• Master Mix, Eq and Limiter

1st Supervisor Session

The 1st Supervisor Session went well addressing the viability of the proposed research and it's potential applications. The real-time feature whilst potentially challenging, would be a worthwhile practical pursuit as it is really useful tool and is engaging to practitioners.
The choice to use Max MSP as the core prototyping and design tool was supported given its range of uses and applications, along with its support in the forms of practical documentation, tutorials, patchs, etc.

Useful practical elements were advised and discussed for the prototypes development. Such as potentially using a procedural/ granular element to introduce variety and dynamic to the output stage. 

Useful tutorial documentation concerning Granular Synthesis:
http://cycling74.com/wiki/index.php?title=MSP_Polyphony_Tutorial_3:_Granular_Synthesis