Some of the most important early work at the Habitat revolved
around the Z Box (Z-50 processor) project, which resulted in the
development of ZGRASS, which was an erly PC-based graphics system
for the Bally computer (1981). In the words of Jane Veeder, it
provided "...real time animation and real time sound
synthesis accessed by a custom language optimized for interactive
artmaking, all wrapped up together like a hot little sports
car." The box had an NTSC video output port, which provided
video recording and display capabilities for artisits. DeFanti et
al attempted to commercialize the product through their company,
Real Time Design, Inc
Hearn
Videolab
-Built by Bill Hearne.
-modular style rackmount
-patch cables use banana jacks.
EMS Spectron
Innovative Video Synthesiser using analogue and digital
techniques.
-Originally called Spectre
-sliders for fade controls, chroma key
-EMS pin matrix allows you to route signals all over the place in
crazy combinations.
-Digital Matrix Patch Panel: 53 inputs by 57 outputs.
-Analogue Matrix Patch Panel: 16 by 20.
-Manual, VCO and Audio controls.
-Digital counters, delays and video modifiers.
-1974/5. (£4,000) Designer: Richard Monkhouse. 15 Built.
-The prototype was used to provide a projected lightshow for an
early Tangerine Dream concert at the London Rainbow.
-Richard Monkhouse (Digital & Video design:1972 - 1975) -
Freelance design consultant often collaborating with other ex-EMS
designers. Never credited for many designs including the
Sycologic M16 and the SoundBeam
BUCHLA VIDEO
SYNTHESIZER
-The Electric Music Box can be configured to serve a variety of
applications, including electronic music composition and
performance, music education, psychoacoustic studies,
environmental control, special effects generation, bio-feedback
research, and video synthesis. Buchla and Associates can supply
systems, auxiliary equipment and complete studios to suit these
and other applications. For further information, please contact
Buchla and Associates.
DIRECTED BY DON BUCHLA, the 400 development team includes
composers and performers as well as experts in man-machine
interface, electronic design, computer science, and
psycho-acoustics. Mr. Buchla's professional background includes
space biophysics research, multimedia composition, the
performance of avant garde and traditional music and the design
of both acoustic and electronic instruments. As a Guggenheim
fellow, he recently completed research in interactive
performance-oriented computer music languages, and as an NEA
fellow, he is currently designing instrumentation and music for a
hundred piece electronic orchestra.
FairLight Computer Video
Instrument
www.fairlightesp.com.au
The Farilight CVI was produced in the early 80's, and is a hybrid
Analog Digital video processor.
Fairlight was designed by two Australian engineers, Peter Vogel
and Kim Ryrie who had already established the Fairlight company
manufacturing and selling video special effects boxes. The
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact Justin Maynard / <tesseract> / "ender@projectroom.com"
who is compiling
info for an upcoming site to focus upon the Fairlight CVI.
Email If you have any of the following to share:
-info, stories, hints, tips, tales, etc
-user and technical manuals
-info on modifications that have been done to the unit.
-info on what the expansion units do.
-info on the different makes and models and the differences
between them.
-Info on the different software revs and the differences.
-Any newspaper articles, original reviews, or even stories of how
and where they
have used - they would be very welcome!!!
You can send to him via email or via snail mail: PO Box K1037,
Haymarket NSW, 1240, AUSTRALIA,
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-Stefan Gosiewski, stefango@yahoo.com
the DJ/VJ behind 'CultureLAB', a San Francisco, CA, USA based VJ
outfit,
has a Fairlight CVI, and takes it out on the road now and then as
it offers realtime image processing functions
"like nothing else".
SCANIMATE
Wicked huge thing for broadcast industry
more info to come!
Link to website to come!
Some MPEG's produced by the system: 1 2 4 5 6 7
VSYNTH's by
David Jones
-www.djdesign.com
- tech@djdesign.com
In the mid 1970's Dave Jones started developing a series of
analog and early digital video processing tools at The
Experimental Television Center. E.T.C. is a non-profit video
studio used by artists from around the world to make video tapes.
The early machines developed by Dave Jones included standards of
the industry like keyers and sequencers as well as not so common
devices like colorizers. The JONES COLORIZER, is among the myriad
of famous and widely regarded realtime video processing
innovations from David Jones.
Taking a concept from the analog music field, Dave Jones started
adding voltage control inputs on his video designs that allowed
each of the knobs to be adjusted by an outside voltage such as a
waveform from an oscillator. This turned out to add incredible
power to the video machines since now you could turn any, or all,
of the knobs at once. By patching a bank of oscillators and other
control voltage devices you could create complex images. As each
new video device was developed these control voltage inputs were
designed in giving this growing image processing system a lot of
new capabilities.
By the late 1970's Dave Jones had built a couple of other custom
analog image processing systems for video artists Ralph Hocking
and Gary Hill. These included an assortment of experimental
devices that evolved during the late 1970's. During the early
1980's Dave Jones decided there was a demand for some of his
video processors and spent a couple of years developing versions
to manufacture. During this time he worked as a freelance video
engineer and digital consultant. By 1985 the new generation of
video imaging tools were ready. In 1985 Dave Jones started
Designlab and started to manufacture his image processing tools
for artists. Due to the high cost of building these machines and
Dave's commitment to keeping the prices within reason, coupled
with the the limited demand, the sale of these machines could not
sustain Designlab. The company ended up doing a lot of industrial
designing and engineering for other manufacturers who required
Dave's expertise in video.
Due to a chance phone call in 1991 to his old friend, video
artist Gary Hill, Dave Jones moved Designlab away from industrial
designing and back into the video art field. Designing and
building custom video and computer tools to support the art of
Gary Hill and a series of other video and electronic artists,
Designlab's reputation for building custom tools for artists grew
rapidly. Designlab, now known as Dave
Jones Design, has become one of the leaders in the
field of custom electronics used by electronic artists around the
world. If you go to any major contemporary art show you will
probably see art powered by Dave
Jones Design's machines, or images created using
them.
He's currently working on some new designs for analog video
synthesizer modules which are essentially updated versions of his
older creations. He's actively interested in hearing from those
of you with interest in old fashioned (1970's style) analog image
processing equipment. Things like keyers and colorizers,
oscillators, etc.... Tell him yes! at his email address above,
and we'll hopefully see more great things from DJ! more info to
come soon.
Paik-Abe
Video Synthesizer
Built by Nam June Paik & Shuya Abe.
more info to come.
VSYNTH's
from Steve Rutt & Bill Etra
-more info to come
People
Currently working on Video Synthesizer & Related Development
-Dan / <CD22402E@aol.com>
Dan says:
"I have built a number of video synthesizers over the years.
The system I am currently using is called the NTSC 34. It is a
modular synthesizer using 12 modules. It can generate its own
video or modify video from another source. It can generate video
in responce to an audio input . The 12 modules are VCLG, VCCG,
ADDS, MSG, MIX, LI, CI, LHSG, LVSG, CPS, CHSG, CVSG."
"The Video synth is something I've been working on both as a
hobby and as a commercial product. The general idea is to design
a device that will connect to the audio output of your stereo and
to the input of your TV set. Shapes and patternes will dance
around on the screen in step with the music. The colors change in
relationship tothe pitch of the audio signal an pattern to the
dynamics of the stereo signal. The device also will have a video
input jack so that video input into it can be modified in
relationship to the inputed audio signal. The NTSC 34 is a
modular system in order to find out what works and doesnt work in
order to develop a stand alone video synthesizer. What are you
looking looking for in a video synth? What should it do? Thanks.
-Dan"
He eagerly wants to correspond with others working on similar
things.
more info to come!
Transkameleon
of Vform
-Christian Amoretti is "Transkamelon" of the UK VJ
group: VForm.
He invented a dedicated hardware device that creates fantanstic
kaleidoscopic imagery from a sound input, in realtime. I've had a
devil of a time just finding out his real name, so not much
further info is available at this time.
AudioVisualizers
VSYNTH Development
-VSYNTH@AUDIOVISUALIZERS.COM
We're searching high and low, pulling
circuit tidbits from various places and bringing them together,
module by module to gradually publish an array of public domain
video synthesizer and related schematics. A contest is in the
works, and we are seeking sponsors to help promote new
development for hardware based realtime image processing, and
creation devices. More info to come soon. We are also offering
kits as a service to those of you who aren't too technically
oriented. Currently things are in the works, but there are two
offerings available by request:
-AV/FX:
complete kit with printed circuit board and all parts other than
power supply and enclosure. Performs realtime image processing on
NTSC or PAL signals: solarize, negative, video paint,
quantization, B&W, & more.
$150 USD.
-A2V AudioVisualizer:
pre-wired kit, just add power suppy, switches & enclosure.
Breaks an incoming audio waveform into: low, mid & high
components, and routes each to separate VCO's that produce
realtime abstract imagery with multiple colors and patterns
controlled potentiometer settings and music input factors. $250
-AV16 Video Wall controller:
available as free online design/instructions (soon), or as a
complete or partial kit (soon, est: $150) This unit enables
multiple images to cycle in over 200 patterns (spiral,
checkerboard, waves, & more) with adustable direction, speed,
image follow, and strobe settings on a 4 by 4 matrix of C-64,
1702 composite video monitors or similar. Currently in prototype
form, am modifying to allow switching during vertical refresh,
for glitch free switching.
-AVM 2 Video Mixer:
(schematics avail now by request, but am working on a .pdf file,
soon...).... No kit will be initially available for this,
although we will offer key component bundles for approx $40.
Unsorted Notes & Ideas for
VSynth Design
More info on ideas for VSynth related development follows below,
appears in the MadPsy Lab area, & will shortly have it's own
dedicated section.
1. function generator blox - provides waveforms and can be
optionally mixed with music to drive other circuitry
and laser scanners.
2. -pulse width modulation, programmable frequency
generator....PIC has 16 i/o lines-built in vid wall
switcher/sequencer strip sync before signal passes through
switcher, then recombine @ output (gennum & others)
-oscillator - clipper (chop tops from waveforms.
3. Light organ - pulses relay to beat, diff frequency bands -
vectorscope/waveform monitor/oscilloscope - display options?
4. EMI/RFI filter/inducer - GSR controller input /SQUID control?
/ EEG ($2/$300 units)
4a. Change phase / interlace / scanrate / horizontal frequency /
vertical frequency / blanking / sync /
color encoder. -Harmonic distortion/ con/de/structive -filters -
notch filters - opto-coupled stuff.
5. Nintendo boxing control /power glove.
6. User control/Interface: SONAR? (Apr '97 Nuts & Volts),
Carl Motsinger. MIDI Input: circuit converts to control voltages
to interact with video circuitry? (Dec'97 -Nuts & Volts,
p.52-Thomas Henry)
7. Voice Stress Analysis Input (Xandi $50) (602) 829 0755 / (800)
336 7389.
8. Temp activated Liquid Crystal Plates (Edmund Sci)...I dunno,
but looks cool, has possibilities...
9. Transducers: load/pressure sensors & otheres...(dancing
people)
10. laser beams being broken-simple switch...triggers video
samples, etc..
11. I had some surplus video hardware that I'd hacked together
over the years. But was all rare, etc
and I prefer to design / collaborate on public domain circuitry,
so that all interested parties can all
duplicate the results
12. all this will be organized soon...bear with me.
INTERFACE Design Misc:
the following taken from a note from DJDesign:
-Midi is good to use as a control for analog machines. For some
things though midi is too slow. It can't carry enough information
fast enough to keep up with analog video. I was thinking about a
combination of controls. Of course lots of knobs and switches to
let a person control whatever they can touch. Then midi input for
some things, so that simple controls can be scripted with a midi
sequencer or controlled live through other midi devices. But I
think there also needs to be some kind of third interface for
computer, like a network interface, that can send huge amounts of
control data quickly to, in a sense, turn all of the knobs at
once. I don't know what that should be yet. Something like 10
base T seems natural since it is on Macs and very cheap to add to
PCs, but I think it may be too expensive to build into every
analog box. Maybe something like USB? I need to research
different types of networks more
Misc
Related TecH
Video
Toaster
-Wicked!!!
Amiga
w/Live image processor
-Amiga 500 with 'Live' board-a realtime video synth that takes
video in and
shoots video out in brilliant psychedelic colors--wheee!
Atari Jaguar VLM
-Atari's Virtual Light Machine (VLM), was developed by Jeff
Minter, as a sound to light
hardware/software combo that was intrinsically part of the Jaguar
CD add-on unit.
It synthesized interactive abstract light patterns based on the
audio data in the CD.
It has 81 effects, and although it's not a documented feature,
you'll be pleased to know
that you can edit the effect settings on the VLM, although saving
them is not an option,
as this feature was used essentially for debugging. Check out the
VLM
Hackers Guide for
further customization details. Or: Learn the History of
the VLM. -
Read a review
of the VLM/Jag CD.
Atari
Video Music
-Atari's Video Music was developed by Bob Brown, and was
originally introduced in 1978.
-Wood-grain-sided, silver-faced thing that looks like a piece of
stereo equipment with too many buttons. It takes a couple RCA ins
and spits out a colorful, low-res interpretation of the sounds
you feed it onto your TV. It has a lot of adjustable
parameters--gain, color, contour, what kind of abstract images
you want dancing on your screen and in what sort of matrix.
-It looks like a small 70's home stereo amp, but you run two
audio signals in and get relative x and y coordinate pumping
Navajo-blanket-lo-res-rainbow graphics out of your telly! You
need a RF modulator just like for your ATARI 2600, which came
later, actually. Devo VideoHits video has one of their early
video's w/blue-screened background using one of these. -Don't
know how many were made, coveted on the classic videogaming
circuit.
Light-Tube
-A company called "Electroharmonix" made a
sound-sensitive light tube or something like that.
Contacts
with interest in VSynth Stuff
-Robert Verberkmoes [rverberk@students.wisc.edu]
interested in Atari and other video synth stuff
-synchro [synchro1@ix.netcom.com]
familiar with EMS spectrum and light tube
-Umair Haque [mr_kkbb@hotmail.com]
knowledgeable on electroharmonix's sound to light tube
-Woenig, Benjamin Michael - WOEBM001" [WOEBM001@students.unisa.edu.au]
interested in video synth related stuff
-Solenoid [solenoid@thetics.europa.com]
owns an Atari video music
-Daryl [vinyl33@planetp.com]
wants visual music ideas for live show
-Michael Muggli [mmuggli@niu.edu]
built an abstract laser generator
-MORPH of Clan Analogue , http://members.tripod.com/morph999/
, grmuir@hotmail.com ,
ICQ# 17398184 (Fairlight CVI & More)
BUY / SELL
/ TRADE Area
If you want to buy, sell, or trade any of the
above items, or video synthesis or realtime video generation
or processing equipment, please email us here, and we'll post
your contact info and interest under this
catagory, so others can get in touch with you.
I want to purchase anything you have to offer in this realm, for
our MadPsy lab, to be used by visiting video artists.
Contact us please if you would consider parting with your
treasures, or know of someone who might: vsynth@audiovisualizers.com
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