xxxxx_workshop_39_40 Berlin: Using Cheap Game Controllers and DIY Interface for Sensor Input into Pure Data with Derek Holzer & Martin Howse
A (more-or-less) weekly series of constructivist workshops emphasising making and connection within the field of the existent.
Calendar:
March 15th 2PM: Using Cheap Game Controllers and DIY Interface for Sensor Input into Pure Data with Derek Holzer & Martin Howse
March 29th 2PM: Hands on Theremin Workshop with Ralph Schreiber
Forthcoming matter:
Pinhole and Kirlian photography, radio telescopy, data forensics, scientific visualisation toolkits, hardware RNG, EVP, scrying boards and KiCad design
... contact if you're interested in leading a related workshop.
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March 15th 2PM: Using Cheap Game Controllers and DIY Interface for Sensor Input into Pure Data with Derek Holzer & Martin Howse
The workshop will focus on the quickest, cheapest way possible to get sensor input into the Pure Data programming environment - hacking USB game controllers and the HID (Human Interface Device) protocol. For often less than EUR 5 and a few minutes with the soldering iron, a clever artist can start plugging sensors which measure light, temperature, pressure, movement and many other things right into their laptop. We will also examine building our own USB input device using the ATmega8 microcontroller.
Parts and tools for these projects as well as some sample sensors will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring their own sensors and USB game controllers (joysticks, steering wheels, dancemats, toy guitars, fishing rods, etc etc) for experimentation. The Pure Data programming environment will be used to get the sensor information into the computer and map it to different parameters, ranging from MIDI to direct control of audio or video.
Windows users should be aware that the possibilities for input on their systems may be more restricted. GNU/Linux and Mac OS X users should not expect any problems.
Some links for those interested:
http://puredata.info/ (Pure Data) http://puredata.info/downloads (install PD-Extended 0.39 from here!) http://at.or.at/hans/research/nime/ (HC Steiner's page on sensor interfaces) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sensors (every imaginable kind of sensor listed)
---What to bring:
Essential:
1) Laptop running Linux, OS X or Windows (be advised that Windows users may have fewer possibilities) 2) Pure Data Extended 0.39 installed from: http://puredata.info/downloads (please mind that it is Extended and 0.39!!!!) 3) Soundcard (internal or external, quality a non-issue) 4) Headphones 5) EUR 15 participation fee
Recommended/Suggested:
1) Sensors of any kind 2) USB game controller of any kind 3) Microphones or other sound inputs 4) Your own project ideas for discussion
---About the Teachers
Derek Holzer [USA 1972] began working with Pure Data in 2001. Since then, he has taught and performed with the program across Europe, North America, Brazil and New Zealand. His work focuses on field recording, networked collaboration strategies, experiments in improvisational sound and the use of free software such as Pure-Data. He is currently writing a beginner's manual for Pure Data. http://www.umatic.nl/info_derek.html http://www.umatic.nl/workshops.html http://flossmanuals.net/puredata
Martin Howse operates within the fields of discourse, speculative hardware (environmental data in open physical systems), code (an examination of layers of abstraction), free software and the situational (performances and interventions). http://1010.co.uk
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Background:
Workshops led by field-expert practitioners extend over realms of code and embedded code, environmental code, noise, transmission and reception, and electromysticism. Workshops solely utilise free software and GNU toolbase.
Practitioners have included Martin Kuentz (prd@scrying.org), Julian Oliver (http://selectparks.net/), Derek Holzer (http://soundtransit.nl), Jeff Mann (http://jeffmann.com), Martin Howse (http://1010.co.uk), Fredrik Olofsson (http://www.fredrikolofsson.com/), Florian Cramer (http://cramer.plaintext.cc:70/), Brendan Howell, , jo FRGMNT grys(http://tob.de.vu/)
xxxxx, pickledfeet, Linienstrasse 54, Berlin 10119
U2, Rosa-Luxemburg-Pl. U8, Rosenthaler Pl.
Telephone: 3050187482.
http://1010.co.uk/workshop.html
http://1010.co.uk/xxxxx_research_institute.html