2008/09: Interactive Audio in a Lecture Environment. The aim of this project was to create an active, collaborative and interactive learning environment by allowing students to modify sound parameters in the lecture theatre. My contribution was the development of a system that allowed multiple students to control audio software (Native Instruments Reaktor) simultaneously using Nintendo Wii controllers. Here is the resulting JISC publication.
Use of Novel Controllers in Surround Sound Production. This same year I helped investigate new methods for controlling surround sound positioning, which has resulted in the development of two systems thus far. An optimum system will feature a highly intuitive relationship between the controller and the spatial position of sound elements; to this end I am currently developing a system that will allow a user to point to the spatial position of a sound then click a button on a remote control to select it before manipulating this sound in some way. Here is the initial publication.
Stereo Microphone Trainer. During a post graduate course in Supporting Student Learning I developed software to help trainee sound engineers understand stereo microphone techniques. The system aimed to simulate an ideal learning environment, and allowed students to virtually alter the angle of coincident cardioid microphones, to set up differing stereo arrays and listen to the results in each instance. A game was included that sought to develop their critical listening skills. The software received very positive feedback from the students who trialled it. I now plan to extend the functionality of this software and produce a full ear training package in the near future.
2007/08:My final year research project at university focussed on the automatic transcription of electric guitar signals. The crux problem is the polyphonic pitch detection of the notes present in the target audio - a problem which up to now had not been solved by the research community. Although still not fully resolved, my research lead me to develop a new method of polyphonic pitch detection which offered improved results over existing systems when applied to electric guitar. Download my thesis here.
Future work: My research is now focussed on digital signal processing, and my aims are to develop intelligent algorithms that 'hear' audio files and process the audio in the same way that a 'golden eared' sound engineer would. I hope to produce tools using these procedures that will allow musicians to create music featuring sonic qualities usually only possible with the help of top producers with years of experience.