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-- Producing completely in the dark. Audio / Tactile producing for the blind.

Producing completely in the dark. Audio / Tactile producing for the blind.

I want to move to a workstation that is primarily used with the ears, no looking.

Consider the common wisdom that blind people's senses are enhanced. We could possibly use this to achieve musical output that SOUNDS great without having to worry too much about all the rules, just getting a good sounds. I always feel as if closing my eyes lets me get into the tracks (whether I'm listening or producing) better. It's easier for the brain to focus on audio when there's nothing else to focus on.

The problem is setting up such a system in the first place. You'd need something that gave you feedback and allowed you to use complex techniques and precision.

It shouldn't be THAT difficult as I think about it. It would take getting used to, but the benefits might outweigh the nuisance of setting something like this up.

Speech commands would be necessary. You would need to use custom software. But you know what? I think your sense of hearing would drastically improve if you produced entirely in the dark.

Your thoughts?

Or, you can just get hardware stuff.

you would need a 909 and a 808 for the drums. They are the only devices easy enough to program without looking. And u would need a mixer.

Hmm a good topic for a change...
Honestly I think this is quite a good idea.

Everyone knows Jedi's produce blindfolded and let the force guide their use of the sidechain

I once spec'ed a production system for someone who was completely blind.

You can get tactile response screens that create a surface based on what would normally be displayed on the screen, think of it like a braile interface, only more pictographic. Waveforms were really interesting is tactile form. You could basically "feel" the timbre.

The only issue is that you have to use interface software to convert the image to a surface map - not as straight forward as it sounds - as some thing don't need to be displayed and others need to be enhanced. A lot of customization went in to it. And this was before touch screen had made it to the masses.

It was really interesting and cost a lot of money but we got a working solution in the end and they guy was able to produce on a heavily customized version of cubase.

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Originally posted by DJ RANN I once spec'ed a production system for someone who was completely blind. You can get tactile response screens that create a surface based on what would normally be displayed on the screen, think of it like a braile interface, only more pictographic. Waveforms were really interesting is tactile form. You could basically "feel" the timbre.

Yes! It's possible!

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The only issue is that you have to use interface software to convert the image to a surface map - not as straight forward as it sounds - as some thing don't need to be displayed and others need to be enhanced. A lot of customization went in to it. And this was before touch screen had made it to the masses. It was really interesting and cost a lot of money but we got a working solution in the end and they guy was able to produce on a heavily customized version of cubase.

How expensive? Did you do this a while ago? Perhaps prices will have gone down by now.

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And this was before touch screen had made it to the masses.

Hmmm. What is your occupation? What field(s) is this? Sounds like you guys are pretty skilled at helping people bring their ideas/workarounds to life.

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Originally posted by PutBoy Or, you can just get hardware stuff.

I don't want to ignore this. Hardware in and of itself isn't the complete solution, but it makes things much easier. A cheap midi controller would probably be ideal for careful production where you understand every single thing that each of the knobs, faders, sliders, buttons, etc. are doing without having to look.

Probably, I would have to program some kind of solution that allowed me to change what the controllers are assigned to with hot keys. Ctrl+1 for mixer, Ctrl+2 for piano roll, etc...

Re: Producing completely in the dark. Audio / Tactile producing for the blind.

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Originally posted by Akridrot But you know what? I think your sense of hearing would drastically improve if you produced entirely in the dark. Your thoughts?

no. First off, you are probably too old, secondly, you would have to live your entire life blind, not just the 2 hours you spend making music.

retarded idea. Unless you are blind.

i think the software (sequencer) would have to be controlled via audio voice automation. Allowing all the components of work flow within the DAW to be triggered by the command of the persons voice!

person (record)
computer (record in 1 2 3) ... etc
person (stop)
computer (stop in 1 2 3) ... etc

and, for someone who was not blind but used it purely as an auditory experience there could and would be significant change - though in comparison to someone who has a life time of blindness it would pale in comparison - for obvious reasons. Though baring in mind each experience is subjected to its own nature. so again its all debatable.

Re: Re: Producing completely in the dark. Audio / Tactile producing for the blind.

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Originally posted by RichieV no. First off, you are probably too old, secondly, you would have to live your entire life blind, not just the 2 hours you spend making music. retarded idea. Unless you are blind.

I disagree. This would have benefits.

There's absolutely nothing else to focus on but the sound. You will begin listening more critically (like an engineer listens to music) and you will focus more on the sound.

We could probably do a scientific experiment on this and my hypothesis would be correct.

Re: Re: Re: Producing completely in the dark. Audio / Tactile producing for the blind

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Originally posted by Akridrot I disagree. This would have benefits. There's absolutely nothing else to focus on but the sound. You will begin listening more critically (like an engineer listens to music) and you will focus more on the sound. We could probably do a scientific experiment on this and my hypothesis would be correct.

+1

you could run an experiment. however scientific experiments based on hypotheses also subject themselves to infallibility, which is the foundation of experimentation. So Akridot you would need further proof to substantiate your argument. But, i agree with you all the way. Some people arn't as open minded or see the change as so minute that its negligible as to whether any significant variation occurred whatsoever.

Activate preinstalled human eyelids when listening to sound.

Extend the duration of blinking time for longer than a mere few milliseconds when sound pressure is altered.

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Originally posted by Akridrot Yes! It's possible! How expensive? Did you do this a while ago? Perhaps prices will have gone down by now. Hmmm. What is your occupation? What field(s) is this? Sounds like you guys are pretty skilled at helping people bring their ideas/workarounds to life. I don't want to ignore this. Hardware in and of itself isn't the complete solution, but it makes things much easier. A cheap midi controller would probably be ideal for careful production where you understand every single thing that each of the knobs, faders, sliders, buttons, etc. are doing without having to look. Probably, I would have to program some kind of solution that allowed me to change what the controllers are assigned to with hot keys. Ctrl+1 for mixer, Ctrl+2 for piano roll, etc...

I was working for the largest audio retailer in Europe that also made the first Audio specific PC's. (I'm sure some of you can guess what brand )

Yes, it was interesting but in all honestly, it would be a seriously cumbersome way to work when you actually have the advantage of sight.

The tactile interface was cool but feeling around a waveform rather than just being able to look at the whole thing is not a faster or more intuitive way to work. It may seem great but this as for someone who was blind and they didn't have another option.

It also cost 10k (pounds) just for the PC and screen.

If you want to get away from looking at a screen just buy hardware or learn to play real instruments. Changing the DAW system so you're not using one of the primary senses is not really the greatest answer.

The best way to do this would be to hire an engineer - it will let you focus on the music without touching anything and it will probably cost you less.

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Yes, it was interesting but in all honestly, it would be a seriously cumbersome way to work when you actually have the advantage of sight.

I know you may as well put on a sleep band to cover your eyes!

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The tactile interface was cool but feeling around a waveform rather than just being able to look at the whole thing is not a faster or more intuitive way to work. It may seem great but this as for someone who was blind and they didn't have another option.

A full voice automated system would be the best approach i think (but super complicated i guess, and many hours in development.

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If you want to get away from looking at a screen just buy hardware or learn to play real instruments. Changing the DAW system so you're not using one of the primary senses is not really the greatest answer.

agree stick with hardware its the easiest way to remove one of your senses after you build familiarity with the equipment. But, then would you really benefit from this, perhaps?

Re: Re: Re: Re: Producing completely in the dark. Audio / Tactile producing for the blind

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Originally posted by Energy_3 +1 you could run an experiment. however scientific experiments based on hypotheses also subject themselves to infallibility, which is the foundation of experimentation. So Akridot you would need further proof to substantiate your argument. But, i agree with you all the way. Some people arn't as open minded or see the change as so minute that its negligible as to whether any significant variation occurred whatsoever.

They have

Producing in the dark is not enough for your brain to reconfigure itself to alot more sensory processing to the ears rather than from the eyes.

They have also done studies which show that only being blind as a child produces significant increase in auditory processing.

So it really is a silly idea.

I don't think it would change the actual auditory processing, but it would probably change your work habits and what you concentrate on quite drastically, which could have an effect on your sound.

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Originally posted by MrJiveBoJingles I don't think it would change the actual auditory processing, but it would probably change your work habits and what you concentrate on quite drastically, which could have an effect on your sound.

definitely

but it seemed like the OP had some illusions regarding killing one sense making the other stronger. Unless you are actually blind, it won't. The ear develops out of necessity unlike people who are not blind and have no biological use for a super ear.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Producing completely in the dark. Audio / Tactile producing for t

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Originally posted by RichieV They have Producing in the dark is not enough for your brain to reconfigure itself to alot more sensory processing to the ears rather than from the eyes. They have also done studies which show that only being blind as a child produces significant increase in auditory processing. So it really is a silly idea.

I see so that says something about evolution and genetic dispositions then i guess.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Producing completely in the dark. Audio / Tactile producing f

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Originally posted by Energy_3 I see so that says something about evolution and genetic dispositions then i guess.

I don't quite follow. What does evolution or genetic disposition have to do with anything I said .

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Producing completely in the dark. Audio / Tactile produci

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Originally posted by RichieV I don't quite follow. What does evolution or genetic disposition have to do with anything I said .

well being its a silly idea given the nature of advancement would be limited in any particular case therefore to me it suggests that the evolutionary pathway is limited in change over shorter periods of time - thus making it that we are predisposed to that particular genetic characteristic.

if i still dont make sense tell me to shut up!

I'd rather produce in the light because i dont have a lit up keyboard, both keyboards.

I find mixing on a console with my eyes closed yields much better results. It is too easy to get distracted by meters!

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