Click here to watch on YouTube
(warning your computer may become haunted if you play this)
I did this just for fun as I was recently (and finally) checking out this interactive 'experience' instrument.
(this is a free download package for anyone interested (recommended a midi keyboard and internet connection to play))
I ran into this neat Virtual Instrument (for Kontakt by Native Instruments) called Arcane by Embertone.. Kontakt instruments are a industry standard Instrument format which playback instruments by various 3rd parties, which are all hosted in a DAW (digiatl audio workstation) production programs. Such Host programs are Protools, Cubase, Logic, etc..
Kontakt itself hosts a programming script which can control various parts of the instrument itself during playback and at very low latencies.. such scripts usually manage controls like FX levels, Volume, Modulation - using the NI scripting for making instruments "fully customized" to the designers needs and wishes. It's all really beyond me but it's a language and also hugely popular - many of the high end stuff has these scripts made for them by programmers who can specialize in it.
In this instrument they went totally crazy and made a instrument that is fully "playable" in which the premise is to play in order to unlock new instruments. There are 5 total instruments here and impressively sound
.. The first 'level' is a portal for the other 4 instruments and each instrument requires to be unlocked. This instrument comes complete with flickering bugs, a floor that creaks with nobody on it, haunted tv sets etc..
You answer a series of Yes/No answers from the eeire voices you hear. Exploring the interface can trigger sounds and visual actions. The GUI is a interactive seance table with access to other 'rooms'. You try and answer the riddles that are given then ask it for access.
Once you light the candles the instrument turns on various elements and is now playable with any midi input or mouse.
The first instrument a stringed instrument can be played as well as Key set for the mood. But some of the keys make some very haunting sounds and don't really produce a stable tone. Answer the riddle is needed.
Into the Picture on the wall it is! The scene of the hanging picture is your new reality which you live. Every note is sensitively triggered for a progressively nervous visual and tonal effect. Twitching with anticipation each sound has the effect of seconds lasting hours.
The next instrument the Paganini Violin.. The legend has it he still lives and occasionally you will see him appear moving in his pictures.
The riddle to the 3rd instrument now will require a bit of actual melodic phrasing input. Very cool, once you teach the melody to the table, you will be able to hear new melodies from the Diva.
This Diva welcomes you with "Welcome to Hell". Very awesome instrument here including many beautiful phrases and choking sounds. You will also see things that which are not really there, be warned.
The last riddle challenge is a little bit of a memory game - the task is to simply match a tonal note with a correct 5 digit code. Another dimension-trip.
A spherical world that bounces, like balls in a resonated chamber. A infinite amount never repeating echoes, sensitive to your touch. You will be swept away or sucked into the vacuum of empty space.
Again the seance table welcomes you back..
cheers
