Heya all,

What is the Xth Sense?
"is a biophysical musical instrument. You can build your own and produce music with it using the sound of your muscles.
It is free and open source, and it was named the “world’s most innovative new musical instrument” by the Georgia Tech Center for Music Technology (US, 2012). Its name is spelled ecsth sense (not tenth sense!). But it’s way easier to call XS."

The Xth Sense (software and hardware) is finally available on-line, get binaries, DIY documentation, and tutorials at:
http://res.marcodonnarumma.com/projects/xth-sense/

The digital interface is developed in Pd; there's a main software for the computation of incoming muscle sound (and virtually any sound input), and the xth-sense-lib, a collection of 120 objects (and help files) ranging from specific muscle sound methods, to everyday Pd patching needs. It also includes a lot of GUI stuff, to facilitate building things.
Wanna the source? Here you go: https://github.com/marcodsad

With the XS you can also control other software on your machine (video, audio, light systems, etc.), send Voltage output to hardware, or control a prosthetic arm.
Hacks are encouraged by the design of the instrument itself. For some ideas see:
http://res.marcodonnarumma.com/projects/xth-sense/#get-started

We have a (newly born) user's forum, courtesy of Create Digital Music/Motion; the forum lives at:
http://createdigitalnoise.com/categories/xth

We are on also on Facebook (imagine!):
http://www.facebook.com/XthSense

if anybody works with it, let me know!
We have users and works in Australia, Sweden, US, UK, Ireland, Spain, Vietnam, Germany, Russia, Netherlands, and Italy, so far

hope it is useful to some of you,
cheers,

Last call for participation.
//// ONLY two places left \\\\\

~
Xth Sense – biophysical generation and control of music
Hands-on training in augmentation of the body for musical performance.
Creating your own low cost biosensing wearable device for muscle sounds.

See an Xth Sense performance at
Xth Sense: http://res.marcodonnarumma.com/projects/xth-sense/
http://marcodonnarumma.com/works/music-for-flesh-ii/

~
When & Where
Space 4/5, Culture Lab, Grand Assembly Rooms, King's Walk, Newcastle, NE1 7RU
Monday, 21st November 2011 at 09:00
Friday, 25th November 2011 at 22:00

SIGN UP HERE: http://tinyurl.com/xthNCL
Workshop outline: http://marcodonnarumma.com/teaching/xth-sense-biophysical-music/

~
What

The workshop offers an hands-on experience and both theoretical and practical training in gestural control of music and bodily musical performance, deploying the brand-new biosensing technology Xth Sense.
Developed by the workshop teacher Marco Donnarumma within a research project at The University of Edinburgh, Xth Sense is a framework for the application of muscle sounds to the biophysical generation and control of music.
It consists of a low cost, DIY biosensing wearable device and an Open Source based software for capture, analysis and audio processing of biological sounds of the body (Pure Data-based).

Muscle sounds are captured in real time and used both as sonic source material and control values for sound effects, enabling the performer to control music simply with his body and kinetic energy.
Forget your mice, MIDI controllers, you will not even need to look at your laptop any more.
The Xth Sense biosensor was designed to be easily implemented by anyone, no previous experience in electronics is required.
The applications of the Xth Sense technology are manifold: from complex gestural control of samples and audio synthesis, through biophysical generation of music and sounds, to kinetic control of real time digital processing of traditional musical instruments, and more.

~
How

Firstly, participants will be introduced to the Xth Sense Technology by its author and led through the assembling of their own biosensing wearable hardware using the materials provided.
Next, they will become proficient with the Xth Sense software framework: all the features of the framework will be unleashed through practical exercises.
Theoretical background on the state of art of gestural control of music and new musical instruments will be developed by means of an audiovisual review and participatory critical analysis of relevant projects selected by the instructor.
Eventually, participants will combine hardware and software to implement a solo or group performance to be presented during the closing event.
At the end of the workshop, participants will be free to keep the Xth Sense biosensors they built and the related software for their own use.

~
Perspective participants

The workshop is open to anyone passionate about sound and music. No previous experience in electronics or programming is required, however participants should be familiar with digital music creation. Musical background and education does not matter as long as you are ready to challenge your usual perspective on musical performance.
Composers, producers, sound designers, musicians, field recordists are all welcome to join our team for an innovative and highly creative experience.

This is a last call for only two more candidates.

thanks,
best wishes,

April 6, 7, 8 2011
11:00-19:00
Xth Sense – biophysical generation and control of music

@NK
Elsenstr. 52/
2.Hinterhaus Etage 2
12059 Berlin Neukölln

FULL PROGRAM: http://www.nkprojekt.de/xth-sense-%E2%80%93-biophysical-generation-and-control-of-music/

~ What

The workshop offers an hands-on experience and both theoretical and practical training in gestural control of music and bodily musical performance, deploying the brand-new biosensing technology Xth Sense.

Developed by the workshop teacher Marco Donnarumma within a research project at The University of Edinburgh, Xth Sense is a framework for the application of muscle sounds to the biophysical generation and control of music. It consists of a low cost, DIY biosensing wearable device and an Open Source based software for capture, analysis and audio processing of biological sounds of the body (Pure Data-based).
Muscle sounds are captured in real time and used both as sonic source material and control values for sound effects, enabling the performer to control music simply with his body and kinetic energy. Forget your mice, MIDI controllers, you will not even need to look at your laptop anymore.

The Xth Sense biosensor was designed to be easily implemented by anyone, no previous experience in
electronics is required.

The applications of the Xth Sense technology are manifold: from complex gestural control of samples and audio synthesis, through biophysical generation of music and sounds, to kinetic control of real time digital processing of traditional musical instruments, and more.

~ How

Firstly, participants will be introduced to the Xth Sense Technology by its author and led through the assembling of their own biosensing wearable hardware using the materials provided.
Next, they will become proficient with the Xth Sense software framework: all the features of the framework will be unleashed through practical exercises.

Theoretical background on the state of art of gestural control of music and new musical instruments will be developed by means of an audiovisual review and participatory critical analysis of relevant projects selected by the instructor.

Eventually, participants will combine hardware and software to implement a solo or group performance to be presented during the closing event. At the end of the workshop, participants will be free to keep the Xth Sense biosensors they built and the related software for their own use.

~ Perspective participants

The workshop is open to anyone passionate about sound and music. Musical background and education does not matter as long as you are ready to challenge your usual perspective on musical performance. Composers, producers, sound designers, musicians, field recordists are all welcome to join our team for an innovative and highly creative experience. No previous experience in electronics or programming is required, however participants should be familiar with digital music creation.

Participation is limited to 10 candidates.
Preregistration is required and can be done by sending an email to info@nkprojekt.de

Requirements and further info
Participants need to provide their own headphones, soundcards and laptops with Pd-extended already installed.

Musicians interested in augmenting their favourite musical instrument by means of body gestures are encouraged to bring their instrument along. More information about the Xth Sense and a video of a live performance can be viewed on-line at

http://res.marcodonnarumma.com/projects/xth-sense/
http://marcodonnarumma.com/works/music-for-flesh-ii/
http://marcodonnarumma.com/teaching/

Dates
6-7-8 April, 11.00-19.00 daily (6 hours sessions + 1 hour break)

Fee
EUR 90 including materials (EUR 15).

Contact
Marco Donnarumma
m[at]marcodonnarumma.com
http://marcodonnarumma.com

Hi all,
Tomorrow 13th November we’ll be gathering for the 2nd Pure Data Scots User MeetUp.

The meeting kicks off at 3pm at the Electron Club, CCA, Glasgow.

Meeting is free, public and open to all practitioners, beginners, artists, programmers, musicians, passionates of digital arts and simply anybody who might be interested in spending few hours patching, talking, sharing ideas, making some noise, teach and learn.

We encourage you to actively take part in our newborn community and propose presentations or talks for next meetings.

If you want to keep up to date with our activities, please subscribe to the Pd Scots User list at:

http://lists.electronclub.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/pdusers

Hope to see you soon!

Thanks to the Electron Club and CCA Glasgow for hosting us:
http://www.electronclub.org/doku.php
http://www.cca-glasgow.com

Hi folks,
I just uploaded an excerpt from 6 channels open air participatory soundscape concert "High Spheres" hosted at Re-new Festival, Copenhagen in May 2010.
The concert - performed by the audience and managed by an autonomous responsive system developed in Pd - took place for the opening of the festival and last around 40mins, with a late night reprise.

Listen on Soundcloud:

Further info about the project:
http://marcodonnarumma.com/works/high-spheres/

A report of the whole festival:
http://www.thesaddj.com/re-new-digital-art-festival-report/

Live recordings of my concert at the Ausklang festival in Hamburg on the 28th December 2008 (with Napalmed, Bruno&Michelle are smiling, Asmus Tietchens).

The music/sounds are the result of free improvisation exclusively based on the Electric Bass guitar, processed in real-time with C::NTR::L (Pd-based application).

TAGS: nowave, noise

The release is produced by Format Noise, great experimental sounds coming out of there... i suggest you to check it.

Donwload for free the release and listen to the excerpt here:

http://www.format-noise.com/releases.php?viewRelease=32

hope you'll enjoy..

More infos about the Ausklang Festival:
http://www.thesaddj.com/report-ausklang-festival/
http://www.hoerbar-ev.de/en/

Hi everybody, i've never write on this forum, but i was always following threads and i must say thanks to all the contributors in here for their help, you all are making an amazing work with this forum.
Now i'm here cause i would like to introduce you C::NTR::L 1.0 (beta).

C::NTR::L is the name of the free software for real-time Human-Computer Interaction exploiting physical computing possibilities. Developed in PureData by Marco Donnarumma. It seeks to be a tool for audiovisual live improvisation. The project started in 2007 and it remains a constant work in progress, i'm always interested in new ideas and collaborations (recently for example i worked a bit with Servando Barreiro and we included a module to use sensors, exploiting his DIY hardware Minia). This is the version 1.0BETA.
I'm planning to publish the patch, but before i want to work more on the interface, and enhance some features to offer a good usability of the tool, also for who doesn't work everyday with graphical programming.

C::NTR::L transforms your standard chord instrument - electric bass, guitar, violin, etc. - in a audiovideo controller without exploiting a specific external hardware or MIDI technology.
Once you connected the instrument to the sound card of your computer, C::NTR::L starts to recognize which notes you play. This is possible trought a complex structure of band pass/low pass/hi pass filters which automatically separate the core frequency of the incoming audio signal.
Then C::NTR::L analyzes the duration and the RMS of each single note and finally translates this data in order to control and trigger a set of audiovideo efx and modules which at this moment features:

**
VIDEO

* playlist
* scratch and loop points
* white/black fade
* color matrix
* blur
* delay
* strobo
* 3D efx
* presets save

AUDIO

* real-time sound in processing
* support multiple sound input (up to as amany as you want and your machine can stand)
* granulator (original module by Matt Davey THANKSSSSSS for the great ispiration!! i put your reference in posts and in the patch itself, but please tell me if you want more specific references.)
* bit-crusher (original module by Matt Davey)
* reverb (original module by Matt Davey)
* oscillators
* presets
**

I'm looking for beta-testers, so If you're interested, please write to info [at] thesaddj.com. Keep on checking www.thesaddj.com for future news.
And www.thesaddj.com/icontrolnature for the live show i perform with C::NTR::L.

An extract of the live project performed with C::NTR::L can be found here (live @ Cinesthesy Festival, France):

Soulful thanks for sharing, supporting and inspiring goes to: Rep (PD'r and Multimedia Artist), AssoBeam (PD'r and Multimedia Artists), Husk (PD'r and Multimedia Artist), Sero (Sound Artist), Brendan Byrne (PD'r and teacher), Jorg Koch (MAX'r and sound artist), Servando Barreiro (PD'r and Multimedia Artist), Hardoff (PD'r) G-noma (Multimedia Artist) and the incredible community on the PD Forum.

Marco / The S.A.D

hey Nau,

the software comes with filtering and thresholding designed to avoid any feedback and sounds from the outside. If the silicon case is well pressed against the skin, you won't have any problem.

I usually play in the middle of a quadraphonic or octophonic system, and recently started playing along with a friend drummer (with a traditional drum and live electronics) and it works well.

alright, thanks for the useful info guys.
Well, at this point I'll code a similar object and include it in the xth-sense-lib asap.

will keep you posted.

meanwhile, attached [line3] binary for Linux (working on Lucid 10.04)

http://www.pdpatchrepo.info/hurleur/line3.pd_linux

no worries, happy about the excitement

re: line3, the fact that flatspace is in pd-ext 43 on windows, but not on Linux, is indeed a bit weird.
Unfortunately, I don't have a machine with pd-ext 43 at the moment. Should get one soon to test dependencies myself. I remember using one in Berlin though, and there was no problem.

On Linux, can you type in a shell:

locate line3.pd

and post the output (if any)?

re pitchshifting: the object itself does not produce any sound, only processes it.
This means the noise is coming from your input. This could depend on a variety of element: your soundcard input, a too high gain, etc.

Be aware that the system is designed to work with the mic model which is indicated in the Xth Sense parts list. If you use any other mic, I can't guarantee it will work as it should. The silicon case is critical too.
Also, you don't want to use a piezo mic with the Xth Sense, unless you're purposely trying to use piezo.

let me know,
cheers!

hey!

[line3] is in /extra/flatspace if you're using pd-extended 42.5 it should be there.
Or are you using another version?

as for the 80Hz, is it coming from the sensor hardware, or you are using the software only?

Hey Ichabod, your guitar and bass are pretty cool!
I'm right now hacking a bit to include a GUI version of them in the xth-sense-lib, to be used with the Xth Sense [1].

Let me know what do you think about it, and thanks for the awesome work!

[1] http://res.marcodonnarumma.com/projects/xth-sense/

thanks Ricky!

cheers from Berlin

aha! Ok, I will try to do it
not sure when, but I'll post it here again...

thanks glitchpop!

I'm thinking about making an excerpt including only the music created by kids.
They were so into it, specially at the end of the session when they could use the system alone, without adults...

that's pretty weird.
if you're familiar with compiling, you could try to compile a 64bit version of Pd, but cannot assure you it will solve the issue.
check this:

http://www.mail-archive.com/pd-list@iem.at/msg28814.html

In my experience [pix_blob] works really well but probably it requires one to spend some time on it.
I found out that [pix_data] is much more flexible and responsive for simple luminance/movement detection both with live stream and movie players.

stupid question but... have you tried with higher latency in jack?

i think it would be better to explain more in detail your problem in a new post indicating your OS and Pd version.
then one could give you more detailed informations.

hey, it would be much easier to help you if you could post the patch.
What do you exactly mean by "flikering and unstable"?