There is an array of research projects at CEMC. Many come about as independent studies, others bridge connections across related disciplines (art and architecture, electrical and computer engineering, computer and information science, film and animation, and many more to come), in addition to projects directly in music composition and performance. Here are some highlights (this short list is by no means comprehensive):
CUMotive (2008) Wireless, Wearable Accelerometers: software and hardware research and independent study with electrical engineering major Nathan Ward. The resulting system used small-scale tri-axis accelerometers worn within the clothing to allow user interaction with music and gaming systems including a complete implementation of a dance tracking and music generating system. Nathan's work went on to the following honors:
Where's the BOOM? Award, 2008 BOOM (Bits On Our Mind) exhibition, February 27th 2008, 8th Annual New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME), poster session titled “Wearable Interfaces for Cyberphysical Musical Expression”, June 5-7 2008, Genova Italy
Cornell College Scholar project by Alex Krivicich, music for animation/design titled “Mr. Popcorn” with original music by visiting artist Adam Matta. Alex's work, part of his College Scholar thesis, went on to the following honors:
Producer's Choice Award, 29th Annual College Television Awards (Mr. Popcorn)
National Finalist and Consideration, 2008 Student Academy Awards (Mr. Popcorn)
Best Animation, 2008 Ivy Film Festival (Mr. Popcorn)
Query by Humming (2007-8), software development project in connection with Google and faculty member Graeme Bailey with graduate student Spencer Topel and a team of undergraduate coders and project managers. The resulting design allows a user to search music databases by humming part of a tune. The audio search results are “displayed” in binaurally projected circle around the listeners head.
Low-latency Networked Audio Performance System (Summer 2006), software development project with CIS graduate student Kashif Javed in conjunction with CIS faculty member Paul Francis.
Multichannel Sound Distribution with Ambisonic/Ambiophonic and Binaural techniques, ongoing research area at CEMC on multichannel psychoacoustic sound distribution software and algorithms. Some notable work that has resulted:
Tetrahedral Ambisonic Array for Separatrix II (2006-7), C++ software “external” and audio installation in Tjaden Gallery, Cornell University with graduate composer David Weaver. David has a background in mathematics and so did the majority of the algorithmic design work himself with code ideas and help from myself and and student programmer, Christopher John, who was paired with him for the project.
Cornell BOOM research booth 2007 (“Sound Sculpture and Spatialization”), winner of the BOOM Sponsor Award from Credit Suisse. The project was also selected for the 2007 CIS Faculty Award but it was given to the second-place project because of rules about giving multiple prizes to the same project.
Vspace software for Macintosh OSX, an OSX-compatible implementation of software by Richard Furse (Faculty at York University, UK; primary developer of ambisonic software libraries and namesake of the 2nd-order Furse-Malham Higher Order Format (.fmt) for ambisonics). We provided resources for Dr. Furse, including a remote user account to develop the code on CEMC systems.
Performance patch for Resonant Sound Spaces by Jean-Claude Risset, 8-channel playback on 4-channel array, designed and implemented by Kevin Ernste
Some Recent Music using ambisonic techniques and ideas developed at CEMC:
Kevin Ernste, Crenshaw Stories (2007, revision in progress for 2009)
Christopher Stark, Augenblick for Wind Ensemble and live electronics (2008)
Christopher Stark, Drowning & Shoegazing for trombone, orchestra, and live electronics (2008)
Saul Appelbaum, Architectonic Silence; performance art sound/video piece; Master's Thesis in Architecture (2008)
Spencer Topel, As They Stood for multichannel tape (2007)
Kevin Ernste, Katafala for solo marimba, four percussion, and live electronics (2007)
Spencer Topel, Concerto for Wind Ensemble (2006)
David Weaver, Separatrix II sound installation (2006)
Spencer Topel, Gnomoncholia for solo violin and electronics (2006)