Final Year Project

The aim of this project was to investigate and develop an iPad Application (App) to assist with the learning of the Fundamentals of Sound. This was achieved by blending a mixture of three elements, text, audio and visual media.  The text will outlined the educational content while an audio engine provided the audio.  A visual interactive device (iPad) was used to combine all three elements.  It was programmed to assess learners of their progress.

 

Application Screenshots:

 

 

 

Link to video of Application:

Interactive Multimedia

This module discussed the nature of design for interactive systems including usability, interactivity and good design principles. The module discussed the different sense modalities available to us (sight, sound etc..) and how to harness and design effectively for them. Our project entailed designing a step sequencer in processing following these design principles.

Core functionality (No Design)

 

After implementing design strategies:

Co Operative Work Placement

As part of my course I undertook a seven month work placement in an audio production company in the west of Ireland in Spiddal, Co. Galway. My duties included sound design for televisual programming in particular animation for children’s cartoons which aired on Nickelodeon, the Disney channel and CBBC’s amongst others. I also worked as a field recorder for the Rally of Loughrea in Galway as well as developing an understanding of how to design and better implement a strong sound design and good practices associated with this.

Cs4044 – Advanced Digital Audio

This module introduced the basic concepts of manipulating and recording digital audio for production and live applications. This involved time spent in the recording studio learning about how the setup worked and all the outboard gear. Our final project for this module was a recording of a local Galway band called Dott. The audio file can be found here:

Christmas Holidays 2011

After a hectic Semester 1 of Second year, it was back to work and saving for college again. I managed to save enough to buy Pro Tools as to learn it for the upcoming semester. I was delighted when I received my results to find out I had obtained another 3.68 for semester 1 of second year.

Digital Media & Software Systems 2

This was the resulting end project for our DMSS module. As it can be seen in earlier posts this module was a hectic one in which we studied After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator and also MaxMSP. Our end project was a collaboration of all these different software packages into a cohesive group project. The theme of the project was the exploration of rhythm and synching sound and picture. We used MaxMSP for the sound synthesis part of the project, using multiple types of oscillators and sound synthesis such as Ring Modulation, Wavetable Synthesis and other oscillators to create the soundtrack. My main goal of the project was that of chief animator and I took bitmap and vector images and animated these inside of the After Effects environment. I used several built in effects in after effects to obtain the desired animation which was a satellite probe searching for new life and finding Kepler 22-b. The animaton can be seen here:

Digital Video Fundamentals

In this module we studied the very basics of shooting/Recording and editing video in the digital realm. We started off with very basic Mini-Dv cameras which were capable of 480i footage and these just served the purpose of getting used to tape and writing scripts and filling out storyboards. However as we progressed we learnt about 3 point lighting systems as well as HD cameras and shooting techniques such as White Balancing, Shutter speed and aperture. We also got the chance to use outboard Microphones to improve the sonic quality of our recordings. Our end of term video can be found here:

A video about a parasite that affects peoples brains causing them to clone themselves into mindless copies of their initial host.

Mid Term Animation(After Effects)

This is my mid term animation for Digital Media & Software systems 2. We were to create an animation that was between 15 and 30 seconds in length and make a photoshop file with multiple layers come to life

About Me

For more Detailed info about me and C.V. visit my linkedIn page here!

My name is Rory Maher and I am currently finishing up my fourth year as a Music, Media and Performance Technology student at the University of Limerick. I am currently 26 years of age. As part of my degree I have studied a variety of different topics ranging from:

• Programming
• Mathematics
• Digital Audio
• Digital Video
• Human Computer Interaction/ Interactive Multimedia
• Digital Media Manipulation (Adobe Suite)

I enjoy expressing myself creatively through digital media be it in sound/audio, video or through programming means. I always strive to achieve the best I possibly can and complete my work to the highest standard possible.

As part of my Final Year Project I decided to attempt to code an IOS (iPad) application which would act as a learning tool to assist lecturers with teaching the fundamentals of sound. The application incorporated a mixture of text, visual media (Images and animation) and an open source audio engine built for the application.

I would love to explore software development in more detail as a viable career option for myself, in particular creative coding where the emphasis is on the user experience. Please feel free to contact me at roryjmaher@gmail.com for any questions/queries. Thank you!