MUSIC TECHNOLOGY: AR Scratching
Friday, June 12, 2009 by mtt adminI think this is a subject I could write on all day long, and I would if I could guarantee I wouldn’t bore anyone, so it’s been a bit of a struggle to whittle down all the different topics I could be speaking about, but I’m confident I have hit on a beast right here. Take a look at this:
I find the technology completely baffling, but the creator, Vandelin, gives us a small explanation.
‘Taking just a plain old vinyl record and attaching an AR marker to the label you can track the record in 3D space. The next question was, can you scratch the record?
So by figuring out the velocity of the records rotation and applying it to the payback of the audio you can scratch. There is some digital noise that needs to bee worked out, but sounds pretty good. It’s still really hard to scratch; it takes some practice but is super fun. The next step is to figure out some nice triggers for different modes. I like the idea of not needing a turntable but the actual spinning of the record helps with the scratching and playback. I made a couple modes, one where the record is paused and you can just scratch through the song.’
It all sounds relatively simple in this age of super technology but please consider the technology behind it. Imagine you were the creator of this. Where would you start? How would you program a camera to detect movement? How would you translate those messages into an audio file and synch them with real time music.
Maybe some of you out there are more technical than me, (in fact most of you will almost certainly be more technical) and you may find this very simple.
If nothing else, it is some pretty cool footage that kept me amused. Music technology is almost boundless in its possibilities and music has come along way from the days of four tracks and gramophones. To be part of the evolving world of music technology, take a look at what’s on offer.



