Amplitude modulation
  Performance
at Collision Festival 08, Area 10, London. Image thanks
to Olga Korolev. [See also the iLog Photo synthesizer] |
This
project is based on an early experiment in sound recording, where
a water jet was used to amplify and record sound to a wax cylinder.
A laser (rather than a water jet) can be used to amplify & transmit
minute inaudible sounds. With this technique it is possible to
hear the sound of light through modulation and reflection. For
example it can be used as an instrument able to detect the high
frequency modulations from electronic light, and create techno
beats from a bicycle light. By using a modified laser projected
through a droplet of fluid - or 'Fluid lens' it is possible to
create a sensitive microphone. If this lens also contains microscopic
creatures, their movements will generate sound by creating distortions
with the movement of their body and antennas - this lens also
responds to subsonic architectural 'sound’. . |
|
Amplitude
modulation performance @ Collisions 2008 |
This
idea was developed through a number of workshops; Firstly working
with Arts catalyst with
the exhibition Space Soon at Roundhouse London. Later I experimented
with this idea through a Sound-network collaborative
project. Further development was possible through a CARA action
research project (Rolls-Royce
Science Prize) - for which the idea was developed to make
a permanent interactive work. |
|
The earliest
experiment using the concept of AM transmission was made at Bell
Laboratories - where they used a water jet to record the conversation
and ambient sounds in a room and etch these to wax cylinder.
CV Boys demonstrates the ability of a water jet to amplify the
sound of a ticking clock and a tuning fork. (CV boys - Soap Bubbles
and the forces that mould them) - the water jet is used to amplify
the sound form the clock. |
 Light
sensors with Lens device - This helps focus the sensors, giving
them accuracy over distance. Rather than using a camera to monitor movements in space, a series of light sensors act like simple biological eyes  Diffraction
grating glasses/sensor Distorts visual input emphasizing light sources |
Opto-acoustic
modulator I developed the Opto-acoustic modulator piece which also an also used the muio USB interface to create an interactive work with FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology) and Liverpool John Moores University for National Science and Engineering Week. This is an instrument which uses light as the control mechanism. It both transmits and receives audio data through light radiation.The optical interface uses light sensors and lenses to control MAX MSP software. The darkened space is located with glowing rock crystals which are the prime source of visual input for the participant. This encourages movement among the light sources in the room; which in-turn causes changes in the ambient sound environment itself. LEDs of different colours transmit sound, which can be detected using the photo sensors. Where the beams of the LEDs cross the sounds intermix. |
Antony
Hall | info@tabletopexperiments.org.uk | 44(0)
7816 163 921Tabletop Experiments LTD Company No. 07155600