DIVA meeting Wednesday June 17, 2009

Present: Karl, Allison, Johnty, Helene, Liz, Bob, Cam, Eric, Adriano

Cam: working on mapping logic, testing C++ and Max/MSP versions, confirming accuracy to significant figures. So far things are matching up very well. Real time audio is now working based on the system libraries. Working with Johnty’s can Karl’s code.

Allison: the data recorder is finished. Built another stand alone for Liz’s work. Discovered a few issues such as different balances in consonants on different laptops. May be a system setting on certain Macs? Currently there are problems with the voiced stops. Need to add frame averaging after the stops (last five frames).

Karl: has been looking at the vowel sounds – there is a lack of clarity of the “A” sound. Thinks we can increase intelligibility of the system by tuning that sound. Eric pointed out that trajectories are what give us perception and intelligibility of A, E, OO, etc. After discussion it seemed to be clear that a trajectory-based approach could be very good for speech, but not necessarily for singing.

Johnty: working on the serial device drivers in C++. Has passed this on to Cam and things seem to be working fine. Everything is now wireless for concert performance. Will be making the current Bluetooth modules even smaller. This will reduce the cabling required for connections as well. Also wrote small calibration routine for the Traker to try and allow for tilt of the source.

Meryn: has been working with David regarding the new piece. Interested in getting together with Liz and start working with improvisation. Interested in the idea of using other sounds/samples for sources.

Helene: in holding pattern. However, Emily Carr now has received a NSERC so Helene has space and funding for research.

Lis: learning to work the stand alone materials. Providing feedback to developers on sonic aspects.//

Eric: very interested in getting Liz to come in and work with the force plates. Long discussion about the experience of having opera students in the Linguistics lab for experiments. It was decided to have Liz and Allison go to lab and test Liz using "la" syllable for singing.//

Bob: NIME poster was well received. Interest in a performance next year in Australia using two DIVAs, Handsketch, and Perry Cook’s Maggie.//