[sdiy] still more modular UI epitaph or epiphany

[Anthony Bisset]

Greetings again from the underworld,

In my quest for a modular interface that makes improvisation and real
playing (para-knob twiddling) possible I realized EL lamps could be very
useful.

Imagine a bunch of modules covered in EL lamps but only 3 active modules
interconnected and generating audio. if you stood back you'd see 3
modules lit up pulsating with with the volume and frequency changes being
made in the audio and they would be entrained... but also possibly
deviating, depending on what modules were involved.

by lighting the entire module and driving the light from the audio
frequency + volume, we'd have immediately associative module indicators
that would more quickly let us analyze a patch, see in the dark and know
which cable is connected where.  not to mention a disco for our
fintertips.

Most EL will start emitting light around 60hz and continues up to 8khz
or more (so i'm told).  Some of it changes color as the frequency
changes... but so far i've only been told of minor shifts, green to blue,
that sort of thing.

Ideally someone could find or convince a manufacture to create a new type
of Lamp that combines various metals in some configuration that will give
a rainbow of colors directly related to frequency and brightness
related to voltage.

I don't have any test samples of EL lamp material yet, so i'm unsure if
for dark rooms that I must drive it with anymore voltage than 1-8v...
i know the specs show 100x this amount, but i'm easy, since i work in
the dark, if i can get light emitting at 400hz with only 3volts that's
good enough for the first prototype.

Anyone have any experience with this material?  What can i expect?  Is it
too much work for the result?

-anthony


On Thu, 18 Jan 2007, Amos wrote:

> On 1/17/07, Nicholas Gregorich <nicksdsu at mac.com> wrote:
> > Jupiter 6!  What have I won?  :)
> >
> > Nick.
>
>
> why, Bonus Points, as promised!  Useful all over the world, except for
> certain countries in which you will need to exchange them for Kudos.
>
> Well-spotted, sir!
>
> Runners-up will receive a handsome collection of Props.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Amos
>