In line with the vision of Man Made Music, Morning

Zeitgeist is a continuation of the passion to find and share the most innovative, interesting and note-worthy happenings in the music

and tech worlds.

We hope you enjoy!

In partnership with Sonos, students from Information Experience Design and Design Products created “sound objects” which explore the dynamic relationship between people, sounds, objects and technology. The exhibit went live last weekend at the Ugly Duck in London, where seven student projects were showcased and discussed.

Which seem most interesting to you? More Info: http://rcasoundobject.com

• The Translation of Sound By attaching strings to speaker cones and overlaying a projected image, the audio vibration is mapped to the string vibration without interfering with the sound.

• XOXX Composer a drum machine made up of magnets and revolving wheels.

• Dial Player identified an archetypal social situation mediated by mobile digital technologies (such as guests wanting their own music played at a party) and designed a system intended to address the complex motivations embodied in it. 

• Whym App created a sound navigation app that allows you to hear what’s playing or will play at local venues as you walk down the street, almost like a radio dial.

• Sonicbells created a sonified exercise system. 

• Sonic Motion made a fascinating discovery related to electrical conductance through the human body. 

• Ear-Dar made a private communication system designed to be used in crowded, noisy places. 

We can hear music, but what if you could see it too?

Melissa McCracken has synesthesia – it allows her not only to hear tunes, but experience them in color at the same time.

She’s been recently garnering a lot of attention for her beautiful paintings that correspond to certain songs, allowing us a glimpse into her world.

Now that she’s explored songs, I wonder what other sounds would look like – imagine the chaos of Times Square rendered in paint or the peaceful babble of a brook. What would you like to see/”hear” in color? Via MTV News

“Karma Police” by Melissa McCracken

Synesthetic Art

Interactive Music Videos

Interactive music videos are nothing new, but every season we see new ways of pushing the multi-sensory boundary – enhancing visuals with sonic and vice versa.

Kelela’s interactive website allows users to manipulate colors and environment as they listen to remixed tracks from her previous album. This is all in preparation for her new EP release.

Intel also recently released a 360 degree, 4K music clip – stitched together by their core processors.

Similar interactivity has been seen with the videos for Bob Dylan’s, “Like A Rolling Stone” and Pharrell’s “Happy”.

Which could you watch for hours?

Cut 4 Me - Kelela

“Happy” 24 Hour Music Video“Like A Rolling Stone” Channel Surfing Video

http://24hoursofhappy.com/http://video.bobdylan.com/

http://cut4.me “Graffiti”– Noa Neal

Intel 360 Video

via Protein

Ford and Sony have teamed up to create an industry first for the 2016 Ford Explorer Platinum.

For the first time outside of Sony home audio systems, Live Acoustics™ and Clear Phase™

technologies will be available inside the vehicle.

Available in the summer of 2015, this ride will allow you to experience sound the way it was intended – in the highest clarity and quality.

Would love to give this a spin! Would it change the way you build your road trip playlist?

Innovation in Car Audio

via Ford

Samsung created an interactive way for people to get involved in the launch of their new Galaxy S6 and get acquainted with Swiss artist Seven.

Anyone passing by was to show off their dance moves in front of a large screen. Seven mimicked their moves and at the end it was revealed he was live behind the screen the whole time. The resulting footage was used in his upcoming music video, “Nobody Wants to Dance”.

A win/win for both brands – what artist would you like to dance with on this side of the pond?

“Nobody Wants to Dance” Music Video

Samsung Announces Galaxy S6

via PSFK

Robots in Restaurants

We’re used to automation in grocery stores with our self-serve checkout – are restaurants next?

Ziosk is a new “robot” tablet in many restaurants like Chili’s, Applebee’s, Pizzeria Uno and soon Olive Garden. It greets you, takes your order, entertains you, lets you pay at the table and allows you to rate your server. It drops the average time a table is occupied by 10 minutes, while at the same time actually increasing the tab of a table, most noticeably in desserts (up 30%).

How could sound and music enhance how people interact with the tablet – perhaps custom playlists or jukebox options, or maybe a cue when your order is headed to the table?

via NPR

Are instrumental breaks getting the ax on radio?

Country music has long been a genre that upheld guitar solos and other instrumental breaks. It’s no surprise, given the rich talent of musicians used on the recordings that have the skill to nail those moments.

However, it seems pressure has been building on radio to make way for more commercial space. To make songs shorter, the solos are one of the first pieces to be edited out – sometimes even before the song makes it out of the recording studio to appease stations in advance.

Should we be “saving the solo” as the LA Times suggests? Will those music breaks which once inspired listeners now be lost for ad space?

via LA Times

Luke Bryan and guitarist, Michael Carter, left, perform at the Stagecoach Country Music in Indio (Los Angeles Times)

Silencing the Guitar Solo?

Thank You.