Segmented UI Concept

Concept for a more refined UI;

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

Prototype 5.1

More comprehensive help has been included along with a CPU meter, and driver selection tools that optimise the executable's functionality.

A resource that offers additional design options and concepts for making Max Executables available from; 

http://cycling74.com/toolbox/making-a-slick-max-standalone-presentation-from-expo-74-workshop/

Recording Output Integrated

Got the recording output working and integrated in the prototype. Work will need to done to streamline the process, as currently the file needs to be designated first before recording takes place. Using sfrecord~ saves the audio file to disk, instead of the record~ which saves it to a buffer~.  

The shadows have been revisited as I discovered that they can get cool graphic effects in one of the help patchers, especially when you use negative values.

A more comprehensive 'Help' feature has also been implemented briefly summing some of the features in the prototype.

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.

Export Application

With using the appropriate scaling down and the 'open in presentation mode' feature active the patcher can be exported for others to use;

Rescale Progress

The scale of the problem is displayed with the green arrow, for resizing all the features to go into that grey box.

Design Concept Development

Looking a bit fuller, the sample view is very specific to zoom level;

The striped appearance helps to segregate the prototypes features regarding input, process and output.

I have also cracked the executable problem I had, also when I open the patchs, is that I have been working in a zoom of about 30-50% and the default is always 100%, so I will need rescale everything to make it more agreeable. Doing it now will alleviate doing it later with potentially more objects. Will also take care of the sample view problem  

*I have also now discovered how to snap to grid.

Additional Design Concept

Currently working on the UI case studies.
Done a quick concept of another design;

Novel Live Input Metering

Used the meter I had already created for implementing the record feature using the ezadc, merely inserted this into presentation mode for the live mode graphic feedback;

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

UI Progress

Compressing the UI

Before compression;

Before Compression.

During Compression.

Compressed with current features.

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

Input Update

Having got to grips with tab, some nicer latching buttons have been implemented into the UI for the input mode selection, bypass and the routing feature.

The routing is half working, will need to smooth out all the options.

I have chose against putting Beast as a re rout-able feature at this present moment due to it being the core effect, and it's time based nature.  

Tabs

Have just discovered the tab object which allows for buttons to be created, still having bother configuring their outputs as I'd like, but it has proven to be a viable means to sketch out the routing concept.

*The output configuration has been rectified with using specific number conditions with the select object.

Recording Input

Was a bit of a challenge concerning the naming conventions with the various arguments, but got recording working for the prototype.

Implementing this system allows for sounds to be recorded within the program increasing the functionality of the program.
This would make for a great way to showcase the system at the end of year exposition, allowing for guests to put their own voice into the the prototype and process it. 

Drawing upon the use of the buffer~ switching abilities of groove~.

The updated sample time select for both file and live. Still needs to be smoothed out.

Reverb

A feature implemented out of peer feedback and also out of curiosity, is a bypass-able plate reverb module to the prototype 3.3 under the name 'Chamber' that incorporates the XY pictslider control as executed previously utilised with the 'Morpher' module. While maybe not a necessary component, it is a handy experimental option for sound design. 

The new 'Chamber' module also doesn't drain too much on operating resources.

A personal consideration, drawing upon feedback from semester one considering the prototype as a sound chain, would be the possibility of rewiring the effects units in different orders.

Pitch Feedback

The prototypes progress was picked in the presentation, minor niggles considering functionality due to display. Progress the markers I've spoken about previously such as the record function, the granular element.

The start up delay has now be taken care of. When the prototype fires up for the first time, the bypass and signal selection toggles had to be switched on and off since they didn't output an initial signal on start-up. This was rectified with configuring the toggle an initial output value. This streamlines the prototypes ease of use and functionality. 

The initial value parameter control.

Latest Prototype Features BTB.3

The latest overall look.

                                                               

The refined preset layout for
the 'Beast' module. 

The 'Morpher' module which 
allows for XY sound manipulation 
using the pictslider object.
Currently alters Pitch change and 
peak filter frequency. 

The improved sample select feature that utilises looping using the waveform~ object. This has replaced the previous selection tool that used the rslider, to provide visual context to the loop selection.