http://mer-mer.co mer-mer Wed, 07 Nov 2012 20:51:56 +0000 http://mer-mer.co en http://mer-mer.co/DMX-USB-interfacesa-quick-introduction-to-a-new-generation-of-light http://mer-mer.co/following/mer-mer.co/DMX-USB-interfacesa-quick-introduction-to-a-new-generation-of-light Wed, 07 Nov 2012 20:51:56 +0000 mer-mer 4326370 A quick introduction to DMX/USB interfaces <img src="http://payload101.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4326370/dmx.jpg" width="670" height="250" width_o="670" height_o="250" src_o="http://payload101.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4326370/dmx_o.jpg" data-mid="22907410" border="0" align="left"/> Signal routing within the Max DMX USB Pro external Just as audio recording was liberated from substantial hardware during the past decade, lighting design has similarly progressed to utilize simple USB interfaces for controlling DMX lights and equipment. Although incorporating physical hardware is undeniably an enjoyable experience, it poses a frustrating entry barrier to novices when presented no alternative. For comparison's sake, imagine a Neve console is to USB audio interfaces as a Flying Pig console is to USB DMX interfaces. Practicalities which once stifled naive exploration—be it monetary, spacial or otherwise—now posses far less influence. Likewise, there existed similarities in hardware-software dependancies. Mbox was to ProTools as many USB/DMX interfaces are to required software—inherintly limiting the useage range. Fortunately the parralel between audio and light has continued throughout the past few years. There are now affordable hardware options available which communicate with a variety of software, including open source, multi-universe ethernet and minimalistic dongles. For the extent of this guide/tutorial/whatever I'll be referencing the Enttec USB Pro and DMX King's ultraDMX Micro. Software Companies which specialize in lighting, such as Martin, market proprietary software which communicate with USB/DMX interfaces. The primary example being atrociously dubbed “LightJockey”, which retails for $1500 when bundled with the required interface. Rather than developing familiarity with manufacturer specific solutions, I recommend diving into something more widely applicaple. Max ($399) is a visual programming language / IDE which appears and functions similar to a flowchart. OpenFrameworks (free) is an open source toolkit commonly managed with Apple's Xcode. I'll be referencing Max, but for more about openFrameworks take a look at Andreas Müller's notes from his workshop at Resonate.io. For those on a budget, PureData (free) is a good Max alternative, and even Quartz Composer—which is included with OSX—supports DMX with the proper addons. Running DMX within Max requires the dmxusbpro ($10) external. Another advantage for Max is Max for Live, which enables you to run patches within Ableton Live—a music sequencer/DAW. David Butler released DMaX which makes this extremely easy. Light can be sequenced with modulation data, mapped to MIDI controls or automated based upon the amplitude of signals with M4L envelope followers. All among other things, of course. Fixtures For simple tests I suggest purchasing a cheap LED fixtur. Chauvet manufactures a series of compact LED lights under the SlimPAR brand. Models range from the SlimPAR 38 ($80) with 75 LEDs to the SlimPAR 64 ($130) with 180 LEDs. Three channel mode controls red, green and blue. Seven channel mode controls red, green and blue, plus a number of built in chase modes, strobe and a master fade. Future As time is available and my familiarity increases I hope to continue expanding on DMX and Max. Until then, feel free to write should you have a specific question and I'll do my best to respond: contact@jon-kyle.com A quick introduction to DMX/USB interfaces Signal routing within the Max DMX USB Pro external Just as audio recording was liberated from substantial hardware... http://mer-mer.co/arduino-quartzearly-experiments-in-light-and-sound http://mer-mer.co/following/mer-mer.co/arduino-quartzearly-experiments-in-light-and-sound Mon, 05 Nov 2012 21:04:40 +0000 mer-mer 4384599 02/12–04/12 arduino and quartz sketches Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA 02/12–04/12 arduino and quartz sketches Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA http://mer-mer.co/decision-problema-performance-system-for-percussion-time-light-and http://mer-mer.co/following/mer-mer.co/decision-problema-performance-system-for-percussion-time-light-and Mon, 22 Oct 2012 21:39:42 +0000 mer-mer 4297745 10/18/12 decision problem Human Resources, Los Angeles, CA <img src="http://payload99.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4297745/new_1_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="642" width_o="1400" height_o="789" src_o="http://payload99.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4297745/new_1_o.jpg" data-mid="22809590" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload99.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4297745/me_b_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="641" width_o="1400" height_o="788" src_o="http://payload99.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4297745/me_b_o.jpg" data-mid="22690186" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload99.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4297745/mer-new_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="642" width_o="1400" height_o="789" src_o="http://payload99.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4297745/mer-new_o.jpg" data-mid="22921919" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload99.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4297745/mer-2_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="642" width_o="1400" height_o="789" src_o="http://payload99.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4297745/mer-2_o.jpg" data-mid="22921941" border="0" align="left"/> 1) Several topics where in mind: randomness, response, interface, performance, structure, repurposing. 2) Over the past few years I've amassed a collection of unfinished and unshared sounds. Abandoned songs, sketches, samples and tests. During this time I've been toying with musical randomization; using the computer as a source of chaos by defining and deconstructing ranges. Likewise, much of this functionality was never shared or put to use. 3) I find greater enjoyment watching live instrumentation than samples being triggered. Observing a face illuminated by the glow of the same screen used to check email rubs the wrong way. 4) A foot-switch is used to trigger a function which arbitrarily selects a sound from a central repository of clips. The new sound is played and simultaneously the light changes, to emphasize the partition between old and new. 5) There is no beginning or end to each clip. There are no downbeats. There is no key. Changes are abrupt and sudden. Some clips last five minutes, others five seconds. 6) The system is activated with a UMI3 MIDI foot-switch by Logidy. The majority of the sound was recorded with an Apogee Duet 2 or Zoom H4N. Photo by Dean-Andrew Agan 10/18/12 decision problem Human Resources, Los Angeles, CA 1) Several topics where in mind: randomness, response, interface, performance, structure,... http://mer-mer.co/tunnel-patternslight-sequences-in-ancient-urban-tunnels-because-why http://mer-mer.co/following/mer-mer.co/tunnel-patternslight-sequences-in-ancient-urban-tunnels-because-why Mon, 22 Oct 2012 21:25:30 +0000 mer-mer 4263014 10/21/12 tunnel patterns The Brewery, Los Angeles, CA <img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/01.jpg" width="377" height="670" width_o="377" height_o="670" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/01_o.jpg" data-mid="22732961" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/02.jpg" width="377" height="670" width_o="377" height_o="670" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/02_o.jpg" data-mid="22732963" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/03.jpg" width="377" height="670" width_o="377" height_o="670" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/03_o.jpg" data-mid="22732964" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/04.jpg" width="377" height="670" width_o="377" height_o="670" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/04_o.jpg" data-mid="22732966" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/05.jpg" width="377" height="670" width_o="377" height_o="670" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/05_o.jpg" data-mid="22732967" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/brewery-artwalk.gif" width="400" height="224" width_o="400" height_o="224" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/brewery-artwalk_o.gif" data-mid="22733440" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/05.jpg" width="377" height="670" width_o="377" height_o="670" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/05_o.jpg" data-mid="22732967" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/04.jpg" width="377" height="670" width_o="377" height_o="670" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/04_o.jpg" data-mid="22732966" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/03.jpg" width="377" height="670" width_o="377" height_o="670" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/03_o.jpg" data-mid="22732964" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/02.jpg" width="377" height="670" width_o="377" height_o="670" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/02_o.jpg" data-mid="22732963" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/01.jpg" width="377" height="670" width_o="377" height_o="670" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/01_o.jpg" data-mid="22732961" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/view_bw_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="851" width_o="1400" height_o="1046" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/view_bw_o.jpg" data-mid="22734473" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/install_bw_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="851" width_o="1400" height_o="1046" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4263014/install_bw_o.jpg" data-mid="22734469" border="0" align="left"/> 10/21/12 tunnel patterns The Brewery, Los Angeles, CA http://mer-mer.co/lacmawith-anenon-and-rarebit-as-part-of-dublab-s-muse-till-midnight http://mer-mer.co/following/mer-mer.co/lacmawith-anenon-and-rarebit-as-part-of-dublab-s-muse-till-midnight Sun, 21 Oct 2012 23:18:08 +0000 mer-mer 4297636 09/25/11 lacma and dublab “muse till midnight” Miracle Mile, Los Angeles, CA Performance under Tony Smith's “Smoke” sculpture. <img src="http://payload99.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4297636/6438637217_cc088187ed_o_1140.jpeg" width="1140" height="757" width_o="2048" height_o="1359" src_o="http://payload99.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4297636/6438637217_cc088187ed_o_o.jpeg" data-mid="22689283" border="0" align="left"/> 09/25/11 lacma and dublab “muse till midnight” Miracle Mile, Los Angeles, CA Performance under Tony Smith's “Smoke” sculpture. http://mer-mer.co/three-hour-sunclipsepractice-in-performance-dependent-on-predetermined http://mer-mer.co/following/mer-mer.co/three-hour-sunclipsepractice-in-performance-dependent-on-predetermined Thu, 18 Oct 2012 14:22:31 +0000 mer-mer 4281816 09/25/11 three hour sunclipse Nashville, TN ✈ Los Angeles, CA Each circle represents an instrument/sound. As clouds pass through each circle the related sound is played. When empty, the related sound is silent. 09/25/11 three hour sunclipse Nashville, TN ✈ Los Angeles, CA Each circle represents an instrument/sound. As clouds pass through each circle the related... http://mer-mer.co/eagle-rock-music-festivalsaxophone-and-drum-improvisations-and http://mer-mer.co/following/mer-mer.co/eagle-rock-music-festivalsaxophone-and-drum-improvisations-and Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:51:41 +0000 mer-mer 4269248 10/06/12 anenon at the2012 eagle rock music festival Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, California brian simon saxophone jon-kyle mohr drums 10/06/12 anenon at the2012 eagle rock music festival Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, California brian simon saxophone jon-kyle mohr drums http://mer-mer.co/fire-in-the-libraryrepresentation-of-synesthetic-symptoms-through http://mer-mer.co/following/mer-mer.co/fire-in-the-libraryrepresentation-of-synesthetic-symptoms-through Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:19:53 +0000 mer-mer 4262956 10/13/12 x-tra's fire in the library Miracle Mile, Los Angeles, California steven ziadie programming jon-kyle mohr lighting X-TRA is a quarterly art journal published in Los Angeles since 1997. The editorial board is composed of Los Angeles-based artists and writers. X-TRA provides an outlet for projects related to contemporary visual arts. This conversation was inspired by Eugenia P. Butler’s Kitchen Table talks (1993) and her Fire in the Library talks (2000-04). Both artworks took the form of conversations in which the artist invited others to join in a discussion about questions that mattered to them, as human beings and within their various disciplines. <img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4262956/xtra2_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="851" width_o="1400" height_o="1046" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4262956/xtra2_o.jpg" data-mid="22516909" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4262956/x2_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="851" width_o="1400" height_o="1046" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4262956/x2_o.jpg" data-mid="22517697" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4262956/x3_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="851" width_o="1400" height_o="1046" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4262956/x3_o.jpg" data-mid="22517693" border="0" align="left"/> The amplitude of several microphones are used as control for a custom Max application which adjusts the hue and brightness of several light fixtures. Although color selection is arbitrary, there appeared to be moments where conversation and light intersected. What this means: nothing, probably, but still pleasant to observe. <img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4262956/xilly_1140.png" width="1140" height="472" width_o="1400" height_o="580" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4262956/xilly_o.png" data-mid="22561466" border="0" align="left"/> 10/13/12 x-tra's fire in the library Miracle Mile, Los Angeles, California steven ziadie programming jon-kyle mohr lighting X-TRA is a quarterly art journal... http://mer-mer.co/collection-01an-exercise-available-for-download-in-impulsiveness-both http://mer-mer.co/following/mer-mer.co/collection-01an-exercise-available-for-download-in-impulsiveness-both Sat, 29 Sep 2012 18:34:26 +0000 mer-mer 4161654 http://mer-mer.co/ip-at-human-resourcesillumination-determined-by-amplitude-projection http://mer-mer.co/following/mer-mer.co/ip-at-human-resourcesillumination-determined-by-amplitude-projection Sat, 29 Sep 2012 18:20:50 +0000 mer-mer 4161612 09/28/12 invisible path at human resources Chinatown, Los Angeles, California michael bailey gong / dx7 daniel rosenbaum guitar jon-kyle mohr lighting / projection A mic is placed in a room with music being performed. The signal goes through a spectral analyzer, where frequencies are mapped from low to high, which is then projected (in this case, on the surface of Mike's gong.) The signal is then sent to a system for lighting, where it can be smoothed, randomized, assigned to brightness or color, and other things. <img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/01_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="641" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/01_o.jpg" data-mid="22480321" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/02_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="641" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/02_o.jpg" data-mid="22480327" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/03_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="641" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/03_o.jpg" data-mid="22480333" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/04_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="641" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/04_o.jpg" data-mid="22480343" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/05_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="641" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/05_o.jpg" data-mid="22480353" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/06_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="641" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/06_o.jpg" data-mid="22480359" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/07_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="641" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/07_o.jpg" data-mid="22480374" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/08_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="641" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/08_o.jpg" data-mid="22480388" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/09_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="641" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/09_o.jpg" data-mid="22480393" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/10_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="641" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/10_o.jpg" data-mid="22480398" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/11_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="641" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/11_o.jpg" data-mid="22480402" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/12_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="641" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/12_o.jpg" data-mid="22480403" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/13_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="641" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/13_o.jpg" data-mid="22480404" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/14_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="641" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/14_o.jpg" data-mid="22480407" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/15_1140.jpg" width="1140" height="641" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/15_o.jpg" data-mid="22480410" border="0" align="left"/> rehersal august 8 – september 22nd <img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/01_o_1140.jpeg" width="1140" height="758" width_o="1400" height_o="931" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/01_o_o.jpeg" data-mid="22034723" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/03_o_1140.jpeg" width="1140" height="758" width_o="1400" height_o="931" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/03_o_o.jpeg" data-mid="22034736" border="0" align="left"/> <img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/02_o_1140.jpeg" width="1140" height="758" width_o="1400" height_o="931" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/9/288339/4161612/02_o_o.jpeg" data-mid="22034727" border="0" align="left"/> projection spectrogram audio visualization Projected onto the gong is an incarnation of the spectrogram, programmed by Andrew Ohlmann in Quartz Composer.lighting tousch osc / max for live Responding to input, Touch OSC + Max for Live + DMaX + ultraDMX Micro + Five Chauvet Slimpar 64 fixtures thanks Grant Capes, from Human Resources. Meghan Daalder, for shooting the video. 09/28/12 invisible path at human resources Chinatown, Los Angeles, California michael bailey gong / dx7 daniel rosenbaum guitar jon-kyle mohr lighting /...