Issue 33: July 2003
Features
- | Foreword
- | JagFest UK 2003
- | Atari Preservation Project 2003
- | Tip of the day
- | Brain Wave Lab
- | Error In Line 3
- | The Greatest Sequencer Known To Man
JagFest highlights
- | Rotary Controller
- | Nuon Experience
- | How to Win
- | My Atari Moments
- | Nuon be Good?
- | Jaguar Lightgun
- | WarBalls
- | JagStick Interface
Reviews
- | Enter the Matrix
- | Manga Puzzle 1.1
- | Atari Anniversary Edition
| Brain Wave Lab Yes, you read correctly: brain wave software! This amazing system was developed by Marc Marc and in my opinion, was ahead of its time. This software is meant to work with a set of customized goggles with colored LEDs that are controlled by the software. What does this have to do with MIDI? The program actually generates MIDI music from parameters specified by the program which is of course user-definable. You can also use the program as a real-time algorithmic generator, and generate it does some unusual output which would be hard pressed to be played by real performers. This system works on all Atari machines: 520/1040ST(E), Mega ST, TT and Falcon (in ST mode) with monochrome monitor. 1 MB, Blitter activated if available. Brain wave software? No way am I going to load it! Initial reaction to the software from Atari MIDI forum members was at first a cautionary one, as the name implies an image of brain control and hypnotism from an outside force. Those with this view have been seeing too much Hollywood! This is roughly an unexplored field which is now coming together in the scientific community. It can be used for: Relaxation and meditation by training your brain into desired states. Enhancement of learning capabilities (super learning). Sleep induction (for treating insomnia or just for falling asleep quicker). Focusing attention and enhancing awareness. Alleviation of headaches and migraines, as well as other pain. Preparation for stressful situations. Self-hypnosis and/or subliminal programming. However, to simply use it as an algorithmic music generator, it can have nothing to do with the above. See below. What is the Brain Wave Lab? In the words of Marc Marc himself: The Brain Wave Lab is a new tool to innovate processing in brain-wave synthesis. This software plus the included hardware together with a computer, a soundcard/chip and/or MIDI synthesizer/expander, enables you to experiment with brain-wave synthesis and brain-wave synchronization. Stimuli The Brain Wave Lab is a so-called computerized mind-machine for both the PC and the Atari ST computer series. It is an audio-visual device that can produce frequency patterns that are translated to sound via loudspeakers and light via Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). The effect of a brain machine The effect of a mind or brain-machine is based upon the vibration resonance establishing itself between the exactly timed signals (light and sound) and the attention. The new focus of attention thus created, allows for access to many states of consciousness and realities beyond our everyday experience. Our perception in this context is the mechanism of our reaction to the visual and auditory stimuli. The stimuli are forcing a reaction via our perception. This is not a demanding mechanism but more a "pushing" mechanism. The stimuli are being a dominant factor to attract the attention towards a certain state of mind. Purpose A brain-machine is used to train our perception. As a result of this training, one becomes more aware about one's state of mind and how to control it. Also, a brain-machine can be used to help curing diseases in which the psychosomatic element is due to the disease (like stress causing psychical disorders). One also can be attracted because of the visual effects that the light-stimulus can generate. The experience of these visual effects, generated as a reaction to the light-stimulus can be of a fascinating joy that will let some questions raise about what it is that causes these projections and what the meaning is of them in context to your own being as an individual. Using the Brain Wave Lab as an algorithmic generator After starting the program, first try loading one of the demo files. You do this by going to the menu, under Sequencer and select Load. Try the DRUMS_1.ALL. Once loaded, hit [Return] and start selecting any of the function keys [F1] to [F10] or any of the QWERTY numeral keys (not the numeric pad keys). You will hear the drum patterns change as to what is programmed in the system. To stop it, hit both mouse buttons at once. Now try loading up one of the other demo files. From there you can also try setting up your own parameters by editing anything in the INT and MIDI sound menu. You can select program changes (under preset), MIDI channels, velocity (under Vol) and key notes. Hit [Return] to start it playing. You can compose by selecting certain function keys and play them in the correct order. Interesting music can be obtained which only Brain Wave Lab can produce. Check out the MIDI file below for an example of its output. You will be hypnotized! (Just kidding) To be honest, it will probably make you jump out of your seat! I am sure some very mellow results can be composed as well, but this example is meant to show what Brain Wave Lab can do as an algorithmic generator. Basically I had the brain wave software set up on the Falcon while recording the results to the TT030 running Cubase. Brain wave or not to brain wave? As stressed before, you can simply use this program as an algorithmic generator. However if you are adventurous and want to explore the possibilities of true brain wave synthesis, I recommend getting the full system. This would include the goggles, specialized hardware and of course the software. Marc Marc has also packaged this for use on the PC via Steem, the Atari emulator for PC. The full manual is also on-line and contains extensive information on using and understanding the system. See Marc Marc's web site for full details below. All in all, I am glad to see experimental software such as this being offered for the Atari platform. Another reason to have an Atari in the studio. While you prepare for your final mix-down, you can relax your mind with the brain wave lab! tim@myatari.net
Files
Brain Wave Lab for ST BWL_ST.ZIP Hear what it sounds like BRAINWAV.MID
Useful links
Brain Wave Lab manual on-line http://www.xs4all.nl/~marcmarc/bwl/manual/!fmanual.htm Marc Marc's Brain Wave page. Information on obtaining the full system with goggles and specialized hardware for the ST as well as the latest version of the software. http://www.xs4all.nl/~marcmarc/bwl
[ Top of page ] | MyAtari magazine - Feature #5, July 2003
Copyright 2003 MyAtari magazine