[ a n y m a | research ]

The research and development department of [ a n y m a ] [ a n y m a | research ] develops hardware and software in the field of human computer interaction (HCI) and for artistic purposes. We’ve developed some input devices for visual performances – video instruments – for example the video bass and a 3D joystick controller. Though they are still early prototypes, we’re using them regularly for our visual performances
Software projects include LiveCut, a multicamera editor for Final Cut Pro (that is slowly getting obsolete with the new built-in capabilities of FCP5) and docReactor, a reactor for documentary movies… >>>

Recent projects

Kaleidochord

Michael Egger’s newest visual Instrument is a a combination of the videobass and his virtual visual mixer and virtual camera

Multitouch external for MaxMSP

The trackpad on the late MacBooks can track up to 10 or more (!) fingers at once. Fingerpinger is an external object for MaxMSP that we wrote around code from steike.com. It’s an experimental hack… but its fun and its free…
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gnusb – open source usb sensor box


The gnusb is a platform for building USB controllers – like mixers, foot pedals and the like – primarily for use with Max/MSP or pure-data.

By default, the gnusb provides Max/MSP and pure-data patches with:

– 8 analog inputs, with variable smoothing
– 16 digital inputs/outputs

add some sensors, and off you go….

gnusb is open source hardware and software.
For more information visit the project website: gnusb.sourceforge.net

VideoBass

The VideoBass is an instrument that plays moving images instead of sound.
With your left hand you chose a video clip on the strings (a note) and you trigger it in rhythm with your right hand.

uDMX

Probably the smallest USB-DMX Interface in the world

The uDMX is built around an inexpensive Atmel Atmega8 Microprocessor, using only very few external parts, thanks to the excellent firmware-only USB driver from obdev.at.
We managed to cram it all into a Neutrik XLR Connector.

vMIX

Just in time for our appearance at the “Homemade Festival” in Glarus, I finished the first version of my new “virtual video mixing console”. Version 1.0 had just some buttons, 8 rotary encoders and 8 faders. It was getting of age and I didn’t like to perform with it anymore. So, months of work and about 2000 solder points later, a dream comes true…
USB Interface, 35 Potentiometers with 35 Ledrings, 8 Faders, 6 Microprocessors, …
Read on for the photos:
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3D-Joystick

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Make your own illuminated buttons

Have you ever touched those gummy buttons on an old Sony Betacam recorder? Ever admired this warm glow beneath the play-button? Ever wanted to add some of these to your own do-it-yourself projects, only to find you can’t buy them nowhere?

well here’s a cheap and easy way I found to make them on my own…

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AVR-Toolchain Installer Package for MacOSX

As outlined in the article Programming ATMEL microprocessors on a Mac, installing the AVR toolchain on the Mac can be a long and tedious procedure. Downloading, compiling and installing all the stuff can take up to 6 hours!

For a workshop I gave recently we tried to simply copy over all the binaries in /usr/local/avr/ and it worked.
Now I wrapped the whole thing into a nice installer package, see below.

Installation time: < 5min.
And the best part: you don’t even need the Apple Developer Tools anymore (1.85 Gig !)
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>>> Full list of projects