Reflexus tool : techical description

What follows is an overview of the modes we used for the development and performance of the reflexus show. The images you see are the Reaktor modules that act as a GUI, and also as part of the logic driver for the video core designed with openframeworks. The whole communication is done by OpenSoundControl protocol, as audio and video run in separate machines.

These GUI can be controlled through MIDI, which facilitated us thelive performing and sequencing of the show.

1. Delay

 
 The Delay mode delays the video signal for as long as it is set. It can be configured to delay the signal an int. amount of miliseconds, or it can be delayed by a divisor/multiple of the beat, allowing synchronization with audio signals.

 

2. Random

 
The random mode moves the playhead of the AV signal to a random position. It can also work in the ms and bpm mode. When the bpm mode is set, the jumps of the playhead can be quantized to beat divisor/multiple step, which is usefull when working with music, mainly with rhythm, allowing not to loose the beat feeling.

 

 

3. L8P

 
The L8P mode can store 8 different AV loops and reproduce them polyphonically.

 

 

4. Recloop

 

 The Rec-Loop concept is similar to the overdubbing audio effect. It basically allows cyclic recording of AV without deleting the previous content, but summing the new content to the existing one. Rec-Loop also implements an audio envelope follower, which allows to start the video recording triggered by the audio when it goes above a certain treshold. This envelope switch can be set to just trigger video recording, but also as a continuous parameter that controls the video opacity.

 

 

5. Reverse

 
 The reverse mode records an AV phrase and it immediately puts it backwards. Through the use of an envelope follower which triggers AV recording when a certain threshold is reached and adjustable Attack and Decay times, Reverse can be configured to listje just silabes, words or entire phrases.

 

 

6. Repeat

 
The repeat effect, which is not 100% a mode, but a permanent effect at the end of the modes chain (what means that can be always used, no matter what mode is on) performs repetitions of the last n beats, linked to a bpm. Repeat can perform event control quantization, in order to correct human imperfections whn triggering the effect.

 

 

7. Tap

 
A tap tempo algorithm that gives us information about the tempo musicians are playing. It is usefull in situations when not electronical music is played,in order to trigger the modes synchronized to the beat.