A guide to seven powerful programs for music and visuals

Dom Aversano

What should I learn? A guide to seven powerful programs for music and visuals.

The British saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings described an approach to learning music that reduces it down to two tasks: the first is to know what to practise, and the second is to practise it. The same approach works for coding, and though it is a simple philosophy that does not necessarily make it easy. Knowing what to practise can feel daunting amid such a huge array of tools and approaches, making it all the more important to be clear about what you wish to learn so you can then devote yourself without doubt or distraction to the task of studying.

As ever the most important thing is not the tool but the skills, knowledge, and imagination of the person using it. However, nobody wants to attempt to hammer a nail into the wall with a screwdriver. Some programs are more suited to certain tasks than others, so it is important to have a sense of their strengths and weaknesses before taking serious steps into learning them.

What follows is a summary and description of some popular programs to help you navigate your way to what inspires you most, so you can learn with passion and energy.

Pure Data

Pure Data is an open-source programming language for audio and visual (GEM) coding that was developed by Miller Puckette in the mid-1990s. It is a dataflow language where objects are patched together using cords, in a manner appealing to those who like to conceptualise programs as a network of physical objects. 

Getting started in Pure Data is not especially difficult even without any programming experience, since it has good documentation and plenty of tutorials. You can build interesting and simple programs within days or weeks, and with experience, it is possible to build complex and professional programs.

The tactile and playful process of patching things together also represents a weakness of Pure Data, since once your programs become more advanced you need increasing numbers of patch cables, and dragging hundreds – or even thousands – of them from one place to another becomes monotonous work.

Cost: free

Introductory Tutorial 

Official Website

Max/MSP/Jitter and Max for Live

Max/MSP is Pure Data’s sibling, which makes it quite easy to migrate from one program to the other, but there are significant and important differences too. The graphical user interface (GUI) for Max is more refined and allows for organising patching chords in elegant ways that help mental clarity. With Max for Live you have Max built into Ableton – bringing together two powerful programs.

Max has a big community surrounding it in which you can find plenty of tutorials, Discord channels, and a vast library of instruments to pull apart. Just as Pure Data has GEM for visualisation Max has Jitter, in which you can create highly sophisticated visuals. All in all, this represents an incredibly powerful setup for music and visuals.

The potential downsides are that Max is paid, so if you’re on a small budget Pure Data might be better suited. It also suffers from the same patch cord fatigue as Pure Data, where you can end up attaching cords from one place to another in a repetitive manner.

Cost: $9.99 per month / $399 permanent licence or $250 for students and teachers

Introductory Tutorial

Official Website

SuperCollider

SuperCollider is an open-source language developed by James McCartney that was released in 1996, and a more traditional programming language than either Pure Data or Max. If you enjoy coding it is an immensely powerful tool where your imagination is the limit when it comes to sound design, since with as little as a single line of code you are capable of creating stunning musical outputs. 

However, SuperCollider is difficult, so if you have no programming experience expect to put in many hours before you feel comfortable. Its documentation is inconsistent and written in a way that sometimes assumes a high level of technical understanding. Thankfully, there is a generous and helpful online forum that is very welcoming to newcomers, so if you are determined to learn, do not be put off by the challenge.

An area that SuperCollider is lacking in comparison to Max and Pure Data is a sophisticated built-in environment for visuals, and although you can use it to create GUIs, they do not have the same elegance as in Max.

Cost: free

Introductory Tutorial 

Official website

TidalCycles

Though built from SuperCollider, TidalCycles is nevertheless much easier to learn. Designed for the creation of algorithmic music, it is popular in live coding or algorave music. The language is intuitive and uses music terminology in its syntax, giving people with an existing understanding of music an easy way into coding. There is a community built around it complete with Discord channels and an active community blog.

The downsides to TidalCycles are the installation is difficult, and it is a somewhat specialist tool that does not have as broad capabilities as the aforementioned programs.

Cost: free

Introductory Tutorial 

Official Websit

P5JS

P5JS is an open-source Javascript library that is a tool of choice for generative visual artists. The combination of a gentle learning curve and the ease of being able to run it straight from your browser makes it something easy to incorporate into one’s life, either as a simple tool for sketching out visual ideas or as something much more powerful that is capable of generating world-class works of art.

It is hard to mention P5JS without also mentioning Daniel Shiffmen, one of the most charismatic, humorous, and engaging programming teachers, who has rightly earned himself a reputation as such. He is the authour of a fascinating book called The Nature of Code which takes inspiration from natural systems, and like P5JS is open-source and freely available. 

Cost: free

Introductory Tutorial

Official Website

Tone.js

Like P5JS, Tone.js is also a Javascript library, and one that opens the door to a whole world of musical possibilities in the web browser. In the words of its creators it ‘offers common DAW (digital audio workstation) features like a global transport for synchronizing and scheduling events as well as prebuilt synths and effects’ while allowing for ‘high-performance building blocks to create your own synthesizers, effects, and complex control signals.’

Since it is web based one can get a feel for it by delving into some of the examples on offer

Cost: free

Introductory Tutorial

Official website

TouchDesigner

In TouchDesigner you can create magnificent live 3D visuals without the need for coding. Its visual modular environment allows you to patch together modules in intuitive and creative ways, and it is easy to input midi or OSC if you want to incorporate a new visual dimension to your music. To help learn there is an active forum, live meetups, and many tutorial videos on this site. While the initial stages of using TouchDesigner are not difficult, one can become virtuosic with the option of even writing your own code in the programming language Python. 

There is a showcase of work made using TouchDesigner on their website which gives you a sense of what it is capable of.

Cost: All features $2200 / pro version $600 / free for personal and non-commercial use. 

Introductory Tutorial

Official Website

TouchDesigner meetup October 16th – TouchDesigner and Unreal

Date & Time: Saturday 16th October 2021 4pm UK / 5pm Berlin / 8am LA / 11am NYC

Meetup length 2-hours with option for continuing collaboration in breakout room after the main session for an additional hour.

Level: Open to all levels

Meetups are a great way to meet and be inspired by the TouchDesigner community.

What to expect? 

The meetup runs via Zoom, the main session will be 2-hours in length with an additional hour open to the community for collaboration and sharing in breakout rooms.

This session focuses on TouchDesigner and Unreal and will feature presentations from expert practitioners:

  • Daryl Atkins – Unreal + TouchDesigner + Lasers for AV performance
  • Qualia.AV – Evolution of our audioreactive systems based on TDAbleton + Unreal
  • Carlos Serrano – Blending the Physical and the Digital Space for Audiovisual Performance

Speaker 1:

Name: Daryl Atkins

Title Of Presentation: Unreal + TouchDesigner + Lasers for AV performance

Description: Daryl will be sharing some workflows and techniques I use with Ableton, Unreal, TouchDesigner & lasers to create audiovisual experiences. He’ll also share some recent work from Somnal and some of the approaches for building a flexible live system.

Bio: Daryl is a visual artist, musician and creative director based in London.

He designs interactive works as well as being a member of the audiovisual group Somnal.

Social Media: @daryladesign / @somnalstudio

 

Speakers 2:

Name: Qualia.AV

Title Of Presentation: Evolution of our audioreactive systems based on TDAbleton + Unreal

Description: Qualia.AV will explain different system configurations from simple to complex made with Touchdesigner, Ableton Live and Unreal Engine, working together to generate digital artistic content.

Bio: QUALIA is an educational, audioreactive and live performance project that uses audiovisual tools and digital technology to develop artistic works and installations.

Qualia.AV has been doing research and artistic content for more than five years as a

duo formed by musician and producer Adrian Lex, and VJ and visual programmer

Luciano Toledo.

Social Media:

https://qualia.social

https://www.instagram.com/qualia.av

https://www.instagram.com/adrianlexmusic

https://www.instagram.com/tolch.av

 

Speaker 3

Name: Carlos Serrano 

Title Of Presentation: Blending the Physical and the Digital Space for Audiovisual Performance

Bio: Carlos is a Media Designer and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in the field of Communication Design at Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, and a Master’s Degree in the Media Spaces programme at BTK Art & Design in Berlin, Germany. He has focused his artistic research on how the real world can be recreated with physics and mathematics by running algorithms and simulating physical worlds in virtual representations. In the past two years, he has been mostly working with real-time engines and experiences to create a unique way of digital storytelling. His main methodology is to take elements from the physical world, and bring these elements into the digital universe by certain techniques such as photogrammetry, 3D scanning and through recording volumetric videos. 

Social Media:

www.carlosaserrano.com

www.instagram.com/cayequitas

 

 

Following these presentations breakout rooms are created where you can:

  • Talk to the presenters and ask questions

  • Join a room on topics of your choice

  • Show other participants your projects, ask for help, or help others out

  • Collaborate with others

  • Meet peers in the chill-out breakout room

Requirements

  • A computer and internet connection
  • A Zoom account

Berlin Code of Conduct

We ask all participants to read and follow the Berlin Code of Conduct and contribute to creating a welcoming environment for everyone.

Supported by

 

Getting Started with TouchDesigner – October Series

Dates and Times: Thursdays 7th / 14th / 21st / 28th October 6pm UK / 7pm Berlin / 10am LA / 1pm NYC

Level: Beginners curious about creating immersive visuals with TouchDesigner

TouchDesigner is a powerful tool for creating live performances, installations, real time visuals and complex digital systems. In this series of workshops you’ll learn the basic functioning of TD’s node-based workflow and how to use them to create media, use the data to manipulate content and how to organize and navigate your TouchDesigner networks.

Who is this workshop for?

Aspiring visual and media artists who’d like to get started with TouchDesigner

Series Learning Outcomes

By the end of this series a successful student will be able to create content by:

  • Becoming familiar with the User Interface

  • Exploring TouchDesigner’s building blocks

  • Constructing dynamic visual effects

  • Applying basic audio reactivity and other techniques

Series Study Topics

  • TouchDesigner User Interface and patching

  • How to use building blocks (operators)

  • Controlling parameters for dynamic visuals

  • Audio reactivity and visual effects techniques

Requirements

  • A computer with internet connection

  • A web cam and mic

  • A Zoom account

  • A three button mouse or to configure Apple Track Pad appropriately

  • TouchDesigner (free version suffices https://derivative.ca/download)

  • If you’re on Mac please check TouchDesigner can run on your system (i.e. has basic GPU requirements such as Intel HD4000 or better)

About the workshop leader 

Bileam Tschepe aka elekktronaut is a Berlin based artist and educator who creates audio-reactive, interactive and organic digital artworks, systems and installations in TouchDesigner, collaborating with and teaching people worldwide.

TouchDesigner meetup September – TDAbleton

Date & Time: Saturday 18th September 2021 4pm UK / 5pm Berlin / 8am LA / 11am NYC

Meetup length 2-hours with option for continuing collaboration in breakout room after the main session for an additional hour. 

Level: Open to all levels

Meetups are a great way to meet and be inspired by the TouchDesigner community.

What to expect? 

The meetup runs via Zoom, the main session will be 2-hours in length with an additional hour open to the community for collaboration and sharing in breakout rooms.

This session focuses on TDAbleton and will feature presentations from expert practitioners:

1. 47 VIZN (Myles & Jaiden) – TDAbleton for Live with 47Vizn 

  • Presentation: 47 VIZN will be showcasing their setup and how they use TDAbleton for their live performances in TouchDesigner.
  • Bio: Motion Design / New Media art studio using TouchDesigner for audio visual performances 
  • To find out more: https://www.instagram.com/47vizn/

2. Spherical Aberration (Ioana Bilea) – Ableton OSC to TouchDesigner for live AV

  • Presentation: Spherical Aberration will walk us through how she sends audio via OSC from Ableton to TouchDesigner for live AV shows. It will be a look into her latest live set
  • Bio: Spherical Aberration is an audio visual artist merging ambient sounds with generative visuals, all inspired by the natural world and the occult. Based between Berlin and Copenhagen
  • To find out more: https://www.instagram.com/spherical.aberration/ https://www.facebook.com/sphericalaberration

3. Ivan DelSol – TDAbleton and TouchDesigner Q&A

  • Description: Answers to questions about all things TDAbleton and some things TouchDesigner
  • Bio: Ivan DelSol is a Python and systems developer for TouchDesigner (derivative.ca) including the TDAbleton package for connecting to Ableton Live. He is also an artist, activist, and small town wizard
  • https://forum.derivative.ca/u/ivan/summary

Following these presentations breakout rooms are created where you can:

  • Talk to the presenters and ask questions
  • Join a room on topics of your choice
  • Show other participants your projects, ask for help, or help others out
  • Collaborate with others
  • Meet peers in the chill-out breakout room

Requirements

  • A computer and internet connection
  • A Zoom account

Berlin Code of Conduct

We ask all participants to read and follow the Berlin Code of Conduct and contribute to creating a welcoming environment for everyone.

Supported by

TouchDesigner meetup – August 28th

Date & Time: Saturday 28th August 4pm UK / 5pm Berlin / 8am LA / 11am NYC

Level: Open to all levels

Meetups are a great way to meet and be inspired by the TouchDesigner community.

What to expect? 

The meetup runs via Zoom, the main session will be 2-hours in length with an additional hour open to the community for collaboration and sharing in breakout rooms.

This session focuses on The Future of TouchDesigner and New Media Art and will feature presentations from expert practitioners.

The meetup will be hosed by Bileam Tschepe, the theme for this meetup is ‘The Future Of Interactive Art’ and we’re pleased to confirm the lineup of speakers: 

Scottie J. Fox – The Live-Edited Experience

  • Bio: Scottie is a real-time mixed visual artist and software developer from Boston, USA – specializing in improv, moment arts, dance and augmented reality
  • Description: An exploration into the possibilities and frontier of real time illusion of performance arts using mixed reality of both real and digital effects to create a showcase of what is now available at the user level, where previously only achievable in post studio production
  • To find out more: ://twitter.com/ScottieFoxTTV  & https://www.twitch.tv/scottie_fox/

Karyn Nakamura – Interactive Experiments With Kinect

  • Bio: Karyn is 20 year old from Tokyo currently studying design at MIT! She mostly works in Touchdesigner or JavaScript and is a big fan of early net art, post hardcore music, and modern Japanese history
  • Description: Showing some examples of interactive experiments using motion tracking with Kinect as well as my personal future plans with the Kinect and other rising technology
  • To find out more: https://www.instagram.com/frog_spit_simulation/

Elburz Sorkhabi – Your Career In Interactive & Immersive Media

  • Bio: Elburz Sorkhabi is the co-founder of The Interactive & Immersive HQ and one of the top TouchDesigner developers in the world. He brings insight he has used to lead clients including Google, Kanye West, Netflix, TIFF, Burj Khalifa, Nike, Under Armour, and many more around the world from Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Montreal, Dubai, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, and Paris
  • Description: One of the hardest parts of making the art you dream about is actually having a career that allows you to be creative and dedicate yourself full-time to your craft. In this talk, Elburz breaks down common barriers to building a career by providing actionable advice and answering common questions about how to get gigs and make a living doing the work you love

Following these presentations breakout rooms are created where you can: 

  • Talk to the presenters and ask questions

  • Join a room on topics of your choice

  • Show other participants your projects, ask for help, or help others out

  • Collaborate with others

  • Meet peers in the chill-out breakout room

Requirements

  • A computer and internet connection
  • A Zoom account

Berlin Code of Conduct

We ask all participants to read and follow the Berlin Code of Conduct and contribute to creating a welcoming environment for everyone.

Supported by TouchDesigner 

Getting Started with TouchDesigner – September series

Dates & Times: Thursdays: 9th / 16th / 23rd / 30th September 6pm UK / 7pm Berlin / 10am LA / 1pm NYC

Length: 2-hours each session

Level: Beginners curious about creating immersive visuals with TouchDesigner

TouchDesigner is a powerful tool for creating live performances, installations, real time visuals and complex digital systems. In this series of workshops you’ll learn the basic functioning of TD’s node-based workflow and how to use them to create media, use the data to manipulate content and how to organize and navigate your TouchDesigner networks.

Series Learning Outcomes

By the end of this series a successful student will be able to create content by:

  • Becoming familiar with the User Interface

  • Exploring TouchDesigner’s building blocks

  • Constructing dynamic visual effects

  • Applying basic audio reactivity and other techniques

See below for all 4 weeks

Series Study Topics

  • TouchDesigner User Interface and patching

  • How to use building blocks (operators)

  • Controlling parameters for dynamic visuals

  • Audio reactivity and visual effects techniques

See below for all 4 weeks

Session 1

Topics

  • Overview, Interface, Mouse & Shortcuts

  • Operator Families & Operator Structure

  • TOPs – Texture Operators

  • CHOPs – Channel Operators

Learning Outcomes 

By the end of this session a successful student will be able to:

1: Navigate the TouchDesigner User Interface and utilise mouse and shortcuts controls

2: Become familiar with operator families and their structure

3: Construct basic networks via TOPs

4: Export CHOPs to create dynamic networks

Session 2

Topics

  • SOPs, MATs and Rendering

  • DATs

  • COMPs and Network Structure

  • Palette & Additional Info

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session a successful student will be able to:

1: Build rendering networks via SOPs and MATs

2: Utilise and apply data via DAT operators

3: Construct custom networks via COMPs

4: Locate examples and info from resources such as the Palette

Session 3

Topics

  • Audio Overview

  • Instancing

  • Building a Project 1

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session a successful student will be able to:

1: Utilise audio CHOPs within a network

2: Apply audio CHOPs as modulation sources

3: Build basic Instancing networks

4: Begin to construct a bespoke self directed project

Project Overview

During Session 3 and 4, you will build a self directed and bespoke project in TouchDesigner. You will be supported by the workshop leader and the teaching assistants during these sessions. You can incorporate any techniques you have learnt from the workshop series into the project.

Examples include:

  • TOPs driven from CHOPs

  • Dynamic / generative art

  • Audio reactive content

  • Basic Instancing network

  • 3D geometry via SOPs

In session 4 you can share your project to your peers in your Zoom break-out room. You will also be asked to provide feedback on your peers project’s.

Session 4

Topics

  • Building a Project 2

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session a successful student will be able to:

1: Work independently, with support, within the TD environment

2: Apply various techniques from the workshop series to construct dynamic networks

3: Continue to construct a bespoke self directed project

4: Share their work with peers and provide feedback to peers

Requirements

  • A computer with internet connection

  • A web cam and mic

  • A Zoom account

  • A three button mouse or to configure Apple Track Pad appropriately

  • TouchDesigner (free version suffices https://derivative.ca/download)

  • If you’re on Mac please check TouchDesigner can run on your system (i.e. has basic GPU requirements such as Intel HD4000 or better)

About the workshop leader 

Bileam Tschepe aka elekktronaut is a Berlin based artist and educator who creates audio-reactive, interactive and organic digital artworks, systems and installations in TouchDesigner, collaborating with and teaching people worldwide

Interaction with Arduino & TouchDesigner – LIVE Session / Workshop series

Dates & Times: Tuesdays: 14th / 21st / 28th Sept + 5th Oct – 6pm UK / 7pm Berlin / 10am LA / 1pm NYC

2-hours each session

!Limited capacity – only 25 spaces available!

Pricing excluding kit, components to be purchased separately – see kit list in requirements section 

Level: Beginner – Intermediate

Create immersive interactive experiences. Combine Arduino with TouchDesigner, a powerful node based programming environment with endless possibilities for interactive installation, marketing activations, generative art, multimedia performance, and more! In this course you will learn very basic electronics, introductory Arduino skills, and the fundamental concepts of interaction using sensors and inputs to control video in TouchDesigner.

By the end of this workshop series you will be able to:

  • Create Arduino based electronic prototypes
  • Control video in TouchDesigner with sensors and your own custom hardware interfaces
  • Utilize TouchDesigner to map software interactions to physical electronic systems
  • Apply interaction design concepts for developing installations and brand activations

Series Study Topics

  • TouchDesigner to control Digital and PWM output
  • Switches and Digital inputs mapped to states in TouchDesigner
  • Analog sensors, smoothing data and creating meaningful interactions
  • Strengths, weaknesses and limitations of hardware and software.

Requirements

About the workshop leader

Kyle Duffield is a Toronto based Interactive Experience Design Professional who creates immersive interactive installations and brand activations. He is also known for his affiliation with the studio space Electric Perfume. His decade-plus expertise spans audio, video, creative coding, electronics, and interaction design with the intent of bringing play and multisensory spectacle to public spaces. As an Educator, he has facilitated interactive media courses and workshops with various institutions, galleries, and universities across Canada, Shanghai, the UK, and online. Currently, Kyle is a Cycling 74 Max Certified Trainer, and is focusing on creating unforgettable technological experiences.

TouchDesigner meetup – LIVE Session / 31st July

Date & Time: Saturday 31st July 4pm UK / 5pm Berlin / 8am LA / 11am NYC

Level: Open to all levels

Meetups are a great way to meet and be inspired by the TouchDesigner community.

What to expect? 

The meetup runs via Zoom, the main session will be 2-hours in length with an additional hour open to the community for collaboration and sharing in breakout rooms.

This session focuses on Shaders and will feature presentations from TouchDesigner experts: 

Josef Luis Pelz – Real-time cloth simulation in TD with GLSL

We’ll have a look at a versatile real-time cloth simulation. Besides showing some example results, I’ll try to briefly explain how the system works and how I developed it step by step. It involves pixel, vertex and compute shader.

Josef is a creative coder, generative art enthusiast and mathematician living and working in Berlin. With a background in mathematics and computer science, he is linking his passion for creative problem solving and aesthetics.

For more info check out: instagram.com/josefluispelz/ https://twitter.com/JosefPelz https://josefluispelz.com/

Louise Lessél – Shader conversions from TouchDesigner to Raspberry Pi

Louise will present an asset she created that allows you to quickly convert Shadertoy shaders to use in your Touchdesigner projects, and to go one step further and use the shader in your Raspberry Pi projects by using Pi3D, to run either screens or LED hub-75 matrixes. The asset is available in the Touchdesigner community assets.

Louise Lessél is a Danish New Media artist and Creative Technologist based in New York. She creates digital projections and interactive light installations based on scientific facts and data input, often exploring the limits of the human perceptual system or raising ecological awareness.

For more info checkout: Instagram: @louiselessel

Torin Blankensmith & Peter Whidden –  Interactive 3D Shaders with Shader Park and TouchDesigner

Torin and Peter will be showcasing their new plugin which allows you to use Shader Park within TouchDesigner to quickly script interactive shaders. Explore 3D shader programming through a Javascript interface without the complexity of GLSL. Shader Park is an open source project for creating real-time graphics and procedural animations. Follow along through multiple examples using a live code editor. Expand upon the examples and bring them into TouchDesigner to create your own interactive graphics. Browse the Shader Park community’s gallery where you can fork other people’s creations or feature your own.

Torin is a freelance creative technologist, teacher, and real-time graphics artist focusing on mixed reality installations and interactive experiences. He currently works at Studio Elsewhere creating restorative immersive environments in collaboration with neuroscientists focused on patient and medical worker’s well being.

Peter is a creative software engineer whose work spans physics, astronomy, machine learning, and computer graphics. He currently works at the NY Times R&D lab focused on emerging computer vision and graphics techniques.

For more info checkout: Instagram: @blankensmithing, @peterwhidden / Twitter: @tblankensmith

 

Following these presentations breakout rooms are created where you can: 

  • Talk to the presenters and ask questions
  • Join a room on topics of your choice
  • Show other participants your projects, ask for help, or help others out
  • Collaborate with others 
  • Meet peers in the chill-out breakout room

 

Requirements 

  • A computer and internet connection

  • A Zoom account

 

Berlin Code of Conduct

We ask all participants to read and follow the Berlin Code of Conduct and contribute to creating a welcoming environment for everyone.

 Supported by

 

Jamspace – Livestream July 5th 2021

Monday 5th July 2021 6pm UK / 7pm Berlin / 10am LA / 1pm NYC

Where to watch – Live on Music Hackspace’s YouTube and Facebook channels

Join the first in an occasional series that showcases musical and visual performances and collaborations from members of the Music Hackspace community. After each performance, the practitioners are interviewed about their methodology. Watch the event live from our social media channels. 

Wanna show off your work for the next Jamspace? Visit this link for more details:

Performance and interviews with: 

  • Halina Rice

Halina Rice is a London-based electronic music producer and AV artist renowned for her vivid and eclectic style, using multiple effects and sampling to create original and experimental sounds. Uniting elements of ambient, electronic, percussive and bass music, her sound ranges from evocative and melancholic soundscapes to beat-driven, punchy tracks.

  • Ross flight – granular synth with connect, fused with contemporary dance.

Artist Name: Boss Kite

Ross Flight works as a sound and interactive system designer for theatre, live art and contemporary performance.  He’s been releasing music sporadically as Boss Kite for 10 years, alongside working on an interactive performance system using skeleton tracking with an infrared camera, to perform live electronic music with the human body.

Links:

 

  • Phelan Kane / Bileam Tschepe – AV collaboration and interview 

Phelan Kane is a Berlin & London based music producer, engineer, artist, developer and educator. 

He is currently running the electronic music record label Meta Junction Recordings and the audio software development company Meta Function. He has released the Max for Live device synth Wave Junction in partnership with Sonicstate.

Bileam Tschepe aka elekktronaut is a Berlin based artist and educator who creates audio-reactive, interactive and organic digital artworks, systems and installations in TouchDesigner, collaborating with and teaching people worldwide

 

https://www.instagram.com/elekktronaut/

https://www.youtube.com/c/bileamtschepe/

https://elekktronaut.com/

What is Jamspace?

Jamspace

Showcase your work to the Music Hackspace community.

What is Jamspace?

Jamspace is an occasional / monthly series that showcases audio and visual performances and collaborations from members of the Music Hackspace community. We aim to create an online space in which community members can showcase their creative practice – be it musical, visual, audio, generative, traditional or experimental pieces.

How does it work?

Jamspace is hosted live by Music Hackspace Workshop Leader Ned Rush. Pre-composed performance videos are streamed and after each performance, the practitioners are interviewed live by Ned about their methodology. Anyone can watch the events live for free from our social media channels. Want to pose a question for the interview? You can ask questions in the chat on social media on the day. 

Can I play / get involved?

Want to show off your work for the next Jamspace? 

Jamspace is hosted by Music Hackspace Workshop Leaders Phelan Kane and Ned Rush. 

Your piece could be anything that demonstrates creative use of technology in the arts. Performance to a camera is not a prerequisite – screen capture, generative visuals, green screen, Max, Jitter, video filters, VJ, sonificiations, Ableton Live and /or TouchDesigner created content is perfect. Anyone from the community can submit, be it student, workshop leader or alumni! 

Tell us more info on this link and a member of the team will be in touch. 

We look forward to seeing your work.

Berlin Code of Conduct

We ask all participants to read and follow the Berlin Code of Conduct and contribute to creating a welcoming environment for everyone.

Audio Reactive Shaders with Shader Park + TouchDesigner – On-demand

Level: Intermediate: Some previous experience with javascript, or programming is recommended. No experience with TouchDesigner is needed.

Overview

Explore 3D shader programming through a Javascript interface without the complexity of GLSL. Shader Park is an open source project for creating real-time graphics and procedural animations. Follow along through multiple examples using a P5.js style live code editor. Expand upon the examples and bring them into TouchDesigner to create your own audio reactive music visualizers. Explore the Shader Park community gallery where you can fork other people’s creations or feature your own.

Who is the workshop for?

Artists interested in exploring real-time procedural 3D graphics and animations applied as music visualizations.

Developers with experience programming in javascript, a p5.js style library, or similar language is recommended. Bonus if you know shader programming.

By the end of this session a successful student will be able to:

  • Create raymarched 3D shaders with Shader Park

  • Intro to TouchDesigner + Shader Park plugin

  • Overview of audio analysis

  • Create your own audio reactive music visualizer

Session Study Topics:

  • TouchDesigner

  • Shader Park

  • Shaders

  • Raymarching

  • Audio analysis

Requirements

  • A computer and internet connection

  • A copy of TouchDesigner

  • A downloaded song(.mp3 .aif .aiff .wav) you’d like to turn into a music visualizer.

About the workshop leader

Torin Blankensmith and Peter Whidden formed a creative-coding organization while at college together. They hosted weekly workshops for students from various disciplines on emerging topics in computer graphics. It was in this group that the first prototype of Shader Park was developed.

Torin is a freelance creative technologist and adjunct professor at the Parsons School of Design in New York City teaching TouchDesigner and Creative Coding. Based out of NEW INC, Torin creates immersive installations, experiences, interfaces, and websites. Torin’s work explores emerging techniques in real-time graphics pulling inspiration from systems and patterns of emergent behavior in nature. This work has translated into creating large scale environments for medical professionals to alleviate stress/burnout, for patients in clinical studies aiding in neuroscience research on brain recovery, and for commercial spaces bringing sanctuary to the urban landscape.

Peter is a creative software engineer whose work spans physics, astronomy, machine learning, and computer graphics. He currently works at the NY Times R&D lab focused on emerging computer vision and graphics techniques. Previously, Pete has worked with CERN to build interactive 3D visualizations used in particle physics. He’s also developed software with the Data Intensive Research in Astrophysics and Cosmology (DIRAC) Institute which enabled the discovery of over 30 new minor planets in the Kuiper belt. Recently his artistic collaborations with Alex Miller of SpaceFiller have been featured in galleries and in a permanent installation in Seattle.