Inspired by Ray Lees performance I was determined to create something that was just as fantastic. I looked through the web for two days and stumbled across a video. I can’t seem to upload a video to this blog but you could find it on this link http://www.billaboop.com/
You should also check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqyjnFNQ96Q
Watching these videos reminded me of Ray Lee’s performance
Information from www.billaboop.com
KTDrumTrigger is a VST plugin with custom editor that triggers MIDI notes based on the sound level of the incoming audio stream in different frequency bands. It allows you to “detect” occurrences of percussive sounds in an audio stream and send out a MIDI event whenever that happens.
It works like this: incoming (mono) audio is split up into different frequency bands using three tweakable filters. The signal in each of these bands is sent through an envelope follower. When the envelope reaches a specified threshold level, a MIDI note on message is generated. The trigger module has some built-in hysteresis and minimum inter onset time settings to avoid fast successive triggers due to noise on the envelope curves. Visual feedback of the filter and trigger settings is available….
Note that this is a rather simple system for finding drum onsets in an audio stream. It will probably only work reliably on isolated drum tracks (no mixed-in music), it’s quite sensitive to volume changes and it might not always be possible to separate the different types of drum sounds using simple filters. However, if you just need a fast way of transcribing your isolated drum tracks into MIDI so you can tweak them further or apply the groove to other parts, it might well do the trick and save you a lot of time 
That said, no one says you *must* use this on drum tracks! You might come up with some other applications where this thing comes in handy or use it to extract a rhythmic sequence out of an instrument track (although this will only work with instruments that have clear onsets). As always: tweak those knobs and experiment!
This is a great demo made by ModuLR and demonstrates how KTDrumTrigger can be used for turning beatboxing into synthesized percussion. More info on how he did this can be found in this thread on KVR.
In the picture below you can see a very simple experimental setup I did at home on my desk, just to see if it could work. I routed the audio picked up by the microphone through a single instance of KTDrumTrigger with one low pass filter and one high pass filter and recorded the generated MIDI back to a track in Cubase.
- An empty shoe box with a mouse mat on top (use the backside of the mat to get a muffled sound).
- An almost empty can of transparent metal varnish (anything that will produce sounds with higher frequencies when hit).
- A simple microphone.
- Two old drum sticks.
NEW IDEA/ CONCEPT PROPOSAL
(Assuming you have watched the videos on the links provided) I intend on creating similar Virtual artwork using real-time expressive performance (like Ray Lee) using VST or Virtual Studio Technology (plug-in) to create music and effects.
Information from soundonsound.com
The VST (Virtual Studio Technology) system was developed by Steinberg to enable a complete studio to be created in software. Even in its earliest incarnation, it allowed third-party developers to produce real-time effect modules that could ‘plug in’ to the host application. However, when Steinberg introduced the second version of the VST plug-in standard it also became possible to send MIDI data to and from such effects. This enabled developers to add more features, such as MIDI control of effect parameters and locking of effect settings to tempo. The inevitable result of this advance in the protocol was that this MIDI information was also used to run synth engines, rather than just effects processors. It is these synths, masquerading as effects plug-ins in order to fit directly into the sequencing environment, that are called VST Instruments.
To begin I will need a VST compatible host that is able to load the plug-in. My set up will be very similar to the image above but also using my body to create sounds. The audio signals (sounds) will pass through the microphone and will be analysed and converted into MIDI events. I would need a MIDI device or MIDI VSTi (VST instrument) that will be triggered by the plug-in.
A VSTi can create a huge variety of sounds from MIDI and Audio sequencers.
The host I have chosen to use is called Wavosaur. Wavosaur is a software useful for mastering, sample looping, sound designing, audio mangling etc. It’s
- Fast and efficient :selecting, zooming etc.
- Reliable waveform representation (without parasitic phenomenons due to graphic aliasing).
- Real-time manipulation for effect (no more “few seconds modal preview”).
- ASIO & VST support.
Images from www.wavosaur.com
