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
|