In order to compare the efficacy of each system as "monitoring" for audio signals, I decided that the best thing to do would be to run them both in tandem and determine through my own practice which system (FFT or Analogue Filtering) is the better. For clarification once again, Resolume uses FFT analysis of audio and allows you to select a range of 32 bands of signal, to control the parameters within the software and 3rd party plugins.
Once again I am waiting for videos to upload, so in the mean time here are some stills of the full system working together. As you can see, there is actually quite a synergy between the two systems.
Above are six still shots taken of the systems combined. As you cans see, there seems to be a pretty constant correlation between the two systems.
It might not seem obvious at first, but essentially I am concerned with how easily colour can be generated from audio and then how easily we can interpret that information.
I have talked about this before, but I find metering an extremely boring process, yet extremely neccessary for getting a mix right. I have also always wanted an outboard metering source, as I hate having to either put spectrum analyser on every channel, or on the master of my DAW.
In both cases, I have to click to view it, because of this, my creative process gets broken. This is no good; I want to be creating, but the technical side of my brain likes to eliminate mix problems as they arise. Outboard metering solves that issue. It doesn't solve the boring aspect however.
That's where my idea for this whole project comes from, so it is pretty encouraging that colour can reliably represent sound in this manner. That isn't to say they aren't without their issues, however as a starting point for development of a commercial audio metering system, these results are encouraging.
As with anything technical, there is a learning curve. I would argue that in the case of system a kin to the one above, this learning curve would be extremely fun.
Having tested the systems together at length, I now know the Arduino powered light speaker is the system that has legs as an audio metering source for the masses.
The resolume FFT analysis system is unquestionably more powerful, however it has too many constraining factors surrounding it's implementation for it to ever be practical as a product for sale. Thanks to student discount I have the software, but supposing the user wasn't in education, this system would cost over 1000 pounds to implement, making it out of reach for most people.
In terms of detail of analysis, both systems work well, however I would say that the FFT powered system performs better through the representation of the Mid Range audio to colour conversion, so it's definition through the Orange, Yellow and Lime Green range (200-600hz) is greater. It is also smoother when changing colour spectra. One of the main weakness that I hadn't considered is that the projector is always casting a light on whatever it is pointed at. In that respect, it actually fails my list of essential parameters outlined in the dissertation and there is literally no way around that. I am going to continue though as it is worth noting the differences.
Through this is more pleasing, it is actually not as good for analytical insight into the signal. It is also visually pleasing to the point of distraction. I have been working a lot with the light speaker and now it has completely integrated into my workflow. I can't see integrating as much, it is extremely cool for parties and I prefer this sort of visual than some half cut VJ putting up youtube rips of transformers or some bullshit, but I feel like I would spend more time looking at it than producing if it was an easily integratable system. Which it isn't
Anyways, here is the first video showing this system in action.
It's going to take a while to get the next few vid's uploaded, so Ill leave this post here and get ready for testing the Light Speaker in a more formal manner.
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