SoundField version 1.2 © 2000-2002 Arthur Clemens www.visiblearea.com SoundField is a visual audio mixing program. Background The program's graphical representation of sound brings concepts to audio that are traditionally more related to other fields, such as proximity, boundary, overlap and placing. Instructions Before you use SoundField, make sure you have read and understand the freeware notice and disclaimer at the bottom of this document. Sample mp3 files are distributed in the folder "mp3". Throw in your own sounds if you are done with the samples, or rename the sample folder. SoundField will always expect a folder named "mp3" with MP3 files inside, else you will end up with a black screen. All MP3 files should have the suffix ".mp3". The program is pretty straightforward. You start in edit mode: - drag the center point of a circle to move it - drag the outer edge to grow or shrink the circle - drag the inner circle to pan the sound - double click on a sound to mute Double click on the background to toggle edit mode. Saving You can save a set of circle locations by pressing command-S. Useful if you are going to perform with these sounds. If you change the contents of your mp3 folder, manually delete the old preferences in the folder Prefs. Keys Except for command-S, there are some other useful keys. Please try your keyboard. Interface concept Sounds (audio files) are represented by circular objects with a center point. The outer circle represents the boundary of audibility of the sound; the center represents the sound at its loudest. A second, smaller circle within the sound boundaries represents the panning, or left or right, of the sound. So the whole range of the sound between on or off, and left or right is depicted by the surface of the sound control object. The sound circles can be manipulated in several ways: each circular object can be dragged to another location on the screen; the circles can be resized; the panning circle can be repositioned within the sound circle; a sound can be switched on or off. Sound circles can be positioned on top of each other, overlapping each other or positioned within another. The sounds on the screen are not playing all the time - they are only audible when the user moves a blue circle above them. By moving the blue circle towards a sound circle, the user 'enters' the sound. When moving above an area with two overlapping sound circles, a mix of the two sounds can be heard. The way circles are placed upon each other as well as their relative size and panning settings creates all kinds of complex possibilities. The way the user moves from one position to the other creates an individual sound 'story' or performance. Technical data SoundField is made with Macromedia Director, version 8.0. It uses QuickTime to play audio files, and the Director Xtra MultiMixer to allow for panning the sounds. SoundField plays up to 12 audio (MP3) files from a hard disk. The length of each audio file can be up to 20 minutes, possibly longer. Contact The author: Arthur Clemens, public@visiblearea.com Version history Version 1.2 June 2002. Created distributed version. Minor interface changes. Version 1.1 May 2001. Added saving a pref state. Version 1.0 November 2000. Added panning. Version 0.9 August 2000. First release (performance) during my working period on the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten, Amsterdam. Freeware notice This program is distributed as freeware, meaning you are able to use, copy, and share it at no cost. You can distribute it freely provided that you do not charge for it. SoundField is not in the public domain and the author retains all rights to the program. Copyright notice SoundField is Copyright © by Arthur Clemens, 2000-2002. All rights reserved. Please do not misrepresent the origin of this program. It is free, but the copyright remains with the author. Disclaimer This program is provided as is, without warranty of any kind, express or implied. The author shall not be liable for any damages caused by the use of or inability to use this program. You use this software at your own risk. Use of this software indicates you understand and agree to the conditions of this license agreement.