Percolator 0.6

 Over the past few weeks I've improved my video mixer and streamlined the functions, which has culminated into version 0.6 of the project.

 

IMPROVEMENTS

• The video chain has been streamlined, and parameters are now individually tuned to ensure that each knob can be freely manipulated without creating an effect too dramatic- which basically means I wont ever end up with a completely black or white screen, which was an issue before.
• The video handling has been greatly optimized. The Startr module can now control the overall output resolution as well as starting/stopping video playback.
  
• The improved audio processor grabs audio from 2 digital inputs, which can grab select audio from any program, in my case ableton live.
• This version of the percolator is equipped with the Ableton Link API. While it isn't fully integrated this early implementation will allow for more continuity involving audio playback in the future.

Improved Audio Processor

This week, I finally created an efficient audio processor to use for audio/visual sync. The goal was to turn an audio signal into a decimal between 0. and 1. Developing this in a CPU-friendly way was tricky, but I figured it out. In order to do this, I created this signal chain.

• snapshot~ creates a number according to amplitude in dBFS.
  
• abs - finds the absolute value, this is to make sure the value is positive.
• scale+clip - limits the data to a given scale, in this case 0.-1.
• finally, ease smooths the data according to a function, making the data move up and down in a smoother pattern.

 

Next steps

For version 0.7, the biggest feature i need to figure out implementing the new audio processor in a way that can be controlled live. I plan to do this by adding to my existing system, but i need to work out an efficient way to give the user control of where the audio data goes without requiring live re-patching, which is how the system is currently limited. 

Ill also implement ableton link in order to give every action sync with a master ableton project.

I also want to streamline the interface. Right now when the audio processor is connected to a parameter, it takes away control from the interface knob. In order to fix this, ill connect the interface knob to the minimum scale variable in the processor, which will make the audio effect the parameter without taking control away from the user.