LEMURplex January/February Art & Tech Classes, Brooklyn, NY

LEMURplex Announces January/February Art & Technology Classes

Registration for January/February classes at LEMURplex is now open.
Exciting new class topics include Robotics, Controller Building and
Audio Processing, plus additional core and special topic offerings
including Max/MSP/Jitter, Arduino Microprocessors, Video Tracking and
Fiberglass Fabrication.

For more info and to register, please visit http://lemurplex.org/classes.html

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Build Your Own Music/Video MIDI Controller
Building a Sensor-Based Instrument with MidiTron
Tuesdays 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 6:30-9:30 pm

Imagine waving your hand and having an orchestra at your fingertips
or tapping on a surface to explore a video landscape. This is all
possible through the use of MIDI and sensor-based technology. In
three sessions, you will design and build a controller to create your
art with the easy-to-use <a href="http://miditron.com"
target=child>MidiTron</a> interface.

Emphasis will be on hands-on learning and construction. Basic
electronics and <a href="http://cycling74.com/products/maxmsp"
target=child>Max/MSP/Jitter</a> programming will also be covered. No
previous knowledge of electronics, sensors, or programming is
assumed. Background information will be covered and the bulk of the
class will be focused on building a working controller that you will
take home and begin to create with. This is of interest to artists,
musicians, dancers, actors, engineers, programmers, lighting, sound
and graphic designers, and others.

Instructor: Leif Krinkle

Cost: $495, including lab fee. Lab kit includes MidiTron, electronic
components and selection from a variety of sensors.

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Advanced Audio Processing Techniques
Mastering Many Methods in Multiple Programs
Wednesdays, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 6:30-9:30 pm

This class is designed to provide students with strong fundaments of
digital audio with techniques and practices common to DSP, synthesis,
interconnection, multitracking, mixing and mastering. Using <a
href="http://cycling74.com/products/maxmsp" target=child>MSP</a> as a
springboard, important aspects of signal processing will be covered,
such as building effects, sampling theory, latency and
frequency-domain thought process. Sound synthesis practices including
amplitude and frequency modulation and granular synthesis, as well as
newer developments in the field such as scanned synthesis will also
be explored through Max/MSP and in popular pro-audio software such as
Logic Audio, Reason, Reaktor and Ableton Live. ReWire and Soundflower
will be explored as platforms for interconnecting audio programs for
production and performance using Max/MSP, Logic Audio and Ableton
Live. Concepts common to production and post-production will be
explored in Logic Audio, including mixing and mastering.

Instructor: Roberto Osorio-Goenaga

Cost: $300

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Intro to Max/MSP
Manipulating MIDI and Audio Live and Interactively
Thursdays 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 6:30-9:30 pm

A gentle introduction to the <a
href="http://cycling74.com/products/maxmsp" target=child>Max/MSP</a>
MIDI and digital signal processing environment. Students will learn
how to use the program for live performance, installation or
non-linear audio manipulation and editing. The class will cover
language structure, message passing, MIDI, DSP basics, networking,
building interactive software interfaces and synchronizing and
controlling audio with external data and video. No prior experience
is necessary (though students are encouraged to download the <a
href="http://cycling74.com/downloads/maxmsp" target=child>free
demo</a> of Max/MSP and go through the first ten tutorials before the
class starts).

Instructor: Liubo Borrisov

Cost: $300

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Intro to Video Tracking
Computer Vision Techniques with Jitter
Monday 2/5, 6:30-9:30 pm

This course will serve as an introduction to the use of a video
camera as a sensor with <a
href="http://cycling74.com/products/jitter" target=child>Jitter</a>
projects. Movement tracking, color tracking, face recognition, object
recognition- all of these techniques are possible with extensions to
Jitter and a degree of patience. Students in the course will gain
both an understanding of how the objects and techniques are actually
used, as well as best hardware methods for mature video tracking and
suggestions on how to use these techniques in real world practice.

The primary tool taught will be Jean-Marc Pelletier's cv.jit suite.
Students should come prepared with a rudimentary knowledge of Max,
although understanding of Jitter is not a necessity.

Instructor: Joshua Goldberg

Cost: $100

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Fun With Fiberglass
Basic Composite Fabrication
Monday, 2/12, 6:30-9:30 pm

Learn the skills and techniques used to build custom objects using
fiberglass and epoxy. Students will get hands-on experience in
various stages of the process, starting with sculpting a foam
pattern, followed by glass lay-up and final finishing. Materials will
include partially completed samples to work with so we can move
between stages without waiting for epoxy to cure. Discussion will
include ideas on how to integrate sensors, lighting or haptics into
any project, and students are encouraged to bring their own project
ideas to the class. Bob will also give a brief, inside-out tour of
the Bean, his own composite sensor-based musical instrument.

Instructor: Bob Huott

Cost: $115, including lab fee. Lab kit includes fiberglass
fabricating materials.

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Intro to Jitter
Video Processing in the Max/MSP/Jitter Environment
Tuesdays, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27, 6:30-9:30 pm

This is a three-session introduction to <a
href="http://cycling74.com/products/jitter" target=child>Jitter</a>,
Cycling '74's video & matrix processing environment. On a very
prosaic level, Jitter can be used to build custom-tailored VJ
applications, but even the most cursory exploration demonstrates that
this tool is capable of so much more. Our class will cover those
prosaic examinations, move into the much more exciting realms of 3D
OpenGL visualization and computer vision techniques, and culminate
in an exploration of the arcane realms of synesthesia and visual
music.

A basic familiarity with the Max programming paradigm is greatly
encouraged; this will be a very exciting, very fast-paced course.
However, smart and flexible people may be able to pick up the basics
as we go along.

Instructor: Joshua Goldberg

Cost: $300

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The Mechanics of Robotics
Using Motors, Solenoids, and Other Devices in Kinetic and Robotic Art
Wednesdays, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28, 6:30-9:30 pm

A three session introduction to the wide world of motors and
mechanical systems suitable for use in kinetic and robotic artworks.
We'll cover the basic motor and solenoid types, including AC, simple
DC, DC gearhead, stepper and hobby servo. We'll play with examples of
each type of motor and talk about which ones are suitable where.
We'll look at some basic mechanical parts and systems like shaft
collars, slip rings, gears, belts, pulleys, etc. We'll also talk
about sourcing components, creative reuse of found materials,
material selection, building for durability, etc. This class will not
go in depth on motor control or electronics but will mostly focus on
the electro-mechanical side of robotics.

Required materials: work clothes that you don't mind getting dirty,
safety glasses

Recommended materials: an old electro-mechanical device (printer,
scanner, fax machine, blender, something that moves!) for sacrifices,
charged 12v battery (~5 amp hours - email if you have questions about
what to get), soldering iron, small hand tools (snips, screw drivers,
etc)

Instructor: Douglas Repetto

Cost $300

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Microcontroller Progamming for Artists
An Introduction to the Arduino System
Thursdays, 2/15, 2/22, 3/1, 6:30-9:30 pm

Have you ever wanted to build a robot or an interactive art
installation? Have you ever wondered how LEDs, sensors and motors
work? Through collaborative exercises and the development of a final
project you will learn how to program and prototype with an <a
href="http://arduino.cc" target=child>Arduino</a> microcontroller.
This class is geared towards beginners, and no prior knowledge of
electronics or programming is required.

This class will demonstrate programming and electronics basics
through hands-on microcontroller projects. You will learn digital and
analog input and output techniques for controlling motors and
interpreting sensors, as well as the programming skills necessary to
use these components effectively. We will also explore advanced
concepts in interface, motion and display based on student interest.
By the end of this class students will have a firm understanding of
how microcontrollers, sensors and actuators work and how to utilize
these tools in their own creative projects.

Instructor: Roberto Osorio-Goenaga

Cost: $375, including lab fee. Lab kit includes Arduino board,
electronic components and sensors.