From: Brian MacDonald <brianm@kuci.org>
quoted 4 lines There's a Mac called K Metasynth or something which does just that. You
> There's a Mac called K Metasynth or something which does just that. You
> load a picture, and generates a wash of eerie synth noises based on a scan
> from left to right of the picture - using, I presume, value, hue,
> saturation, etc. to alter the "notes".
It's just 'Metasynth'. You can also get Coagula for the PC, a shareware tool
which is available from hem.passagen.se/rasmuse I think. This does the same
basic thing as MS although it's slightly more limited. With both pieces of
software you can limit the frequency range of the output, or overlay graphic
filters across it which will break it into a chromatic scale, apply
'brushes' to paint echos and stuff like that.
quoted 3 lines My only problem with either program is that there's not a huge variety in
> My only problem with either program is that there's not a huge variety in
> the range of sounds that a *wide* variety of pictures can produce. It's
> usually the generally same eerie synth ambience
Well you are going to always get that 'head in a microwave' additive sound.
And dumping photos of different subjects is not going to produce much
difference - one really bizarre sound which is different from the last
really bizarre sound. If you want to get into this, it's worth spending some
time making fractal/geometric images and trying those so you can get a feel
for how the sound texture changes. It's quite a powerful way to make sound,
but not an easy one.
Of course, since it's basically an inverted spectrogram (image -> sound),
it's very worthwhile to run a good spectrogram program and study what is
actually happening when you play with synths and effects. You'd be surprised
at how many shapes and patterns pop up in the spectrogram window from
playing about. When i'm bored I like to load up weird nord modular patches
and stare at the results while I tweak knobs.
quoted 3 lines I want a program that will produce a very different sound from scanning,
> I want a program that will produce a very different sound from scanning,
> say, a family photo... than something that's a picture of two kangaroos
> mating...and even different from a cartoon pic, etc.
And people say I'm weird...you might get some more unique results from
fiddling with images in Photoshop or the like before reconstructing them as
audio. But for something that's linked to the characteristics/style of the
picutre (rather than the subject, which is irrelevant really)...hmm, the
only thing I can think of is something called the Fractal Transform, which
is an obscure method of compressing an image file down to *ridiculously*
small sizes with very little loss of quality (after which you can also scale
the image up or down to any size with almost no visible difference - no
pixellation etc.). It's patented and is used mostly for massive image
databases. Ever seen one of those fractals programs that draws ferns? That
was invented by a guy called Barnsley and this is basically the same thing
from the same guy, it turns the image into a fractal formula that fits into
a few K. Anyway there's probably scope for doing some radically different
audio transformations by monkeying with the math, but until the patent
expires (how long do they last, does anyone know?) it's off-limits.
quoted 3 lines I'd hope these sounds wouldn't be tied to cultural restraints (i.e.
> I'd hope these sounds wouldn't be tied to cultural restraints (i.e.
> no problem with Da Funk, but I wouldn't want a nice sleazy downtempo
> groove to emit from scanning a porn pic, for instance).
Within the limits of the current technology, the only way to get groove is
by using patterns or very simple images. If you have a PC and download
Coagula, try the 'bubbles.bmp' Windows wallpaper for 'Aphex Twin Visits the
Circus'.
For something completely different, some people on IDM-making were recently
discussing the graphic manipulation tools which are available to users of
Max. There is of course no reason that you couldn't go in the opposite
direction with suitable software, and use the movement parameters from an
existing 3d animation to churn out MIDI controller information.
Finally, delta functions are used quite a lot in DSP for FFTs and the like.
My bet is that it was cut and pasted from the Metasynth help file. I like
the track for listening as well as
looking though :-)
Anig Browl
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