A guide to seven powerful programs for music and visuals
Dom Aversano
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://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:
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
- To find out more:
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
- A computer with Internet connection
- Arduino / Electronics kit
- 3-button mouse
- TouchDesigner and Arduino software
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:
- http://www.rossflight.com/
- https://bosskite.bandcamp.com/
- 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/
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.