Presentation Scenarios
Ideally will be a tabletop type presentation. I want to be able to have it about waist height, so you can lean over and observe the patterns easily. This also needs to be combined with enough distance to mask the peripheral audio leak from the speaker units.
Equipment List:
4 speakers
4 Membranes
Base mounting board for speakers/membranes
Stereo Amp
iPod or Laptop powering audio.
Light.
Revisions
It seems that all the progress I have made so far has been revisions. I discovered after ordering my speakers that I had neglected to identify and deal with a fatal flaw in my planning. I never accounted for amplification of the speakers. This poses a large problem, as I can not feasibly afford the hardware required to make a system of 7 speakers work, all running on independent audio channels. This means that I have had to revise the vision/design for this entire venture. I will now be using 4 speakers instead of 7, two on the right and two on left channel. I think I should be able to create an interesting and compelling interaction, so I’m not too disappointed.
Another revision decision has been to abandon using silicone adhesive to adhere the dish to the latex. It simply wont work, at least as I’ve been trying it. The only way I can think of it working is if I stretched the latex first, then adhered it. The issue there is that there will be no way to clamp the pieces, and I feel a strong enough hold wouldn’t develop. I will solve this problem using a similar strategy to the first iteration of the project, which is to use rubber bands. However, the milky beige color of rubber bands is not very aesthetically pleasing, so I will make them out of the same black latex material used for the membranes.
A final revision/discovery has been of a way to stretch the latex membrane. I had originally been thinking of using some kind of high tensile band, wrapped around the box, but that didn’t provide enough tension. I also considered building a type of clamp or frame, which actually led me to what I think will be the best option. I purchased 4 embroidery frames, used to hold fabric taut in order to be embroidered. I will use these frames to create a kind of drumhead, stretched taut over the speaker. This design is also nice, as it allows me to forgo building boxes, and just use the speakers underneath the membrane.
Electronics/Circuits/Code
The only real code I will be using here is SuperCollider, to provide the audio to drive the system. This is being developed in parallel to the physical fabrication. I also might use GCode to cut some MDF, but that is highly unlikely, as I am using simple shapes/cuts.
Fabrication Issues / Mechanics
The number one issue at the moment is twofold:
1. I need to determine how best to stretch the latex membrane over the box. In the first version, I ended up nailing it in to the box, which was a fast but ultimately fatal decision, as all the latex eventually ripped out. I will experiment to best determine how this will function.
2. I also need to figure out the best way to attach the dish to the latex membrane. I am going to attempt to use silicone adhesive, as it seems like the best option to maintain flexibility, as I dont think a rigid adhesive would work very well.
Lastly, I just need to decide on an overall layout/design, which shouldn’t be difficult.
Parts List
4-7 Speakers
Latex
MDF for mounting/boxes
1/4in Stereo Cable
Audio Interface
Computer/Audio Output
Mechanics
Research Methodology
This project seeks to play and experiment with the translation of one medium to another. Specifically, translating audio into a visual medium. Based on the reactions of classmates and friends to the small scale version of this undertaking, in addition to my own observations, this translation is a compelling and interesting endeavor.
The theory and practice for this work go hand in hand. The visual phenomenon that this project is utilizing is backed by hundreds of years of research and observation, however it is not one that the average person experiences in everyday life. My goal and idea in this, is to take this theory, this physical property of material, and use it in an interesting way. I feel that attempts to translate one medium to another are effective and compelling, and this project hopes to achieve this as well. As far as I have observed, most of the research and utilization of the cymatic phenomena has been strictly that; research or scientific experimentation. This project will attempt to break that barrier and create something compelling and beautiful, both visually and audibly.
The method of basing a projects core ideology on a large body of scientific work is effective, in that one doesn’t have to re-invent the wheel. The hard part is done, all that is left is to find an effective and interesting way to use that data and knowledge, with which to create a cohesive and compelling work.
Abstract/Conceptual Overview
UNTITLED7
A study on standing wave interaction, modularity, and the translation of an audible medium to a visible one, this project hopes to explore the interactions between sound, liquid, light and motion. A continuation of an earlier work, this project will become a more broad and dynamic exploration of the previously mentioned components, their interactions with each other, the audience, and the space they occupy.
