Conference napalm::commusic_v1

1589.0. "MIDI-animation?" by MIZZOU::SHERMAN (socialism doesn't work ...) Tue Aug 02 1988 13:32

    hey, how about this idea: MIDI-controlled animation.  This could
    be done with, say, an Amiga.  Basically, hook the Amiga up as an
    output device on a MIDI chain and run the MIDI system off some other
    sequencer.  Have the Amiga respond to all the MIDI information with
    little sprites or whatever that respond to particular channels.
    The output of the Amiga could provide the video, and the audio could
    come from the mixer fed by the synths.  Route this to a Hi-Fi VCR ...
    
    Imagine this, too.  You could have a little band on the screen
    including a drummer, keyboardist, guitar, bass, etc.  Each would
    respond to a particular channel and would be sensitive to velocity,
    pitch, aftertouch, etc.  This could be a standard setup for some
    rock stuff.
    
    Similarly, you could have a little orchestra with similarly assigned
    musicians (sprites?), each responding to a particular channel.
    
    Dancers or action figures could also be represented as sprites.
    Choreography could be done as an indirect function of MIDI info.
    For example, an ice-skating figure could skate in a circle that
    slowly is enlarged or diminished according to velocity info.  Or,
    a tank could fire off a round with each hit of a bass drum.
    
    If each channel is represented by a sprite, sets of sprites could
    be mixed and matched (patches).  The Amiga could respond via sysex
    to change patches.  And, there could be a set of default sprites
    (presets) included with the software, with a bunch that can be
    user-defined.  Take this one step further, and third-party vendors
    or optional packages could be a source for more sprites.  Also, 
    backgrounds for the sprites could be added and would have presets and 
    user-definable features.

    Any other ideas?
    
    Steve

    It's been done (sort of).. there's a program available for the Amiga
    that allows MIDI 'instruments' to be set up on the screen.  A video
    camera then brings in the image of the performer, who, by moving
    various limbs, can 'play' the MIDI instruments in real time.
    
    karl

    Re: .0, .1
    
    Is this what heat and drought does for you?
    
    Richard.

The next version of VideoWorks II for the Macintosh will have MIDI support,
but only for sounds, I think.  (VideoWorks is an animation program that
includes running the sound track.)

This isn't exactly along the lines you mentioned, but there's
a product called PageFlipper for the Amiga which is set up
to be animation tool.  I spoke with a someone from the company
recently and he says the next version will allow sync-ing
your animation to music via MIDI.  Supposed to be due out
this fall.

< Note 1589.1 by CANYON::MOELLER "114�F. Don't move here..." >
>    It's been done (sort of).. there's a program available for the Amiga
>    that allows MIDI 'instruments' to be set up on the screen.  A video
>    camera then brings in the image of the performer, who, by moving
>    various limbs, can 'play' the MIDI instruments in real time.

    .. the package is called MANDALA ($395, plus a $295 video digitizer)
    by Very Vivid, Inc.  You move, your image strikes an 'instrument',
    and this triggers a MIDI note event, like sampled bells for example.
    You're playing imaginary instruments in empty space and hearing
    them sound in real time.   Air guitar, anyone ?
    
    karl
    
    ps this was reviewed in EM April '88 in the AMIGA section.