Fast Tube by Casper
Something a little different …
The software that I use for the Special Needs project that I run for Eyemusic/Colourscape was originally created for Simon Desorgher, the flautist who is one of the people who run eyemusic (the other is Lawrence Casserley). Simon had for years wanted some kind of a system that would record his live playing, and the allow him to replay and manipulate those recordings in real time, while he continued to play his flute.
Not long after I performed for the first time in Colourscape, we were talking about how such a system might work, and I suggested to Simon that I could build him the software to do this in max/msp. And so LiveSampler was born. The system was somewhat cranky to use at first, but after every series of Special Needs workshops I rebuilt the software almost from the ground up, gradually improving both the functioning (eliminating things which weren’t useful, and modifying the user interface) and the reliability of the programme. Working with different disablilties gradually narrowed down the choice of sensors, until the current system uses only infra-red distance sensors, presure pads (on the floor) and acceleration/tilt sensors, which Simon has on his arms.
I also finally decided that Simon should use a dedicated computer (a Mac Mini) for his performance system, as we were having constant problems using his all purpose PowerBook. Although there have been a few performances with this system over the last two or three years, I think I’m safe in saying that this is the first completely problem free performance that Simon has had. Hopefully we now have a stable system!
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