For this project, I made a self-generating audio-reactive visualizer in TouchDesigner using the song “GGEZ” by Kaien Nuen, SUGAR (CNCA), and M.Sasuke. The visual includes 3D “GGEZ” text, and organic blob, particles, and different effects that react to the audio. Once the patch is started, it runs on its own and the audio continuously changes different visual parameters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first started this project, I wanted to make a digital organism that woudl grow, change, and eventually die. Since I was getting comfortable with TouchDesigner, I started looking a tutorials to figure out how I could actually build something like that. I first followed Pao Olea’s Organic Creature tutorial<\/a>, which helped me learn more about SOPs, CHOPs, instancing, geometry, 3D space, materials, feedback, and bloom. I ended up making a tentacle-like spiral while experimenting with these techniques, and this made me much more comfortable working with 3D geometry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After that, I become more interested in audio reactivity, so I followed Nicholas P.J.M’s tutorials on audio-reactive particles<\/a> and 3D text<\/a>. I learned how to use POPs, Audio Analysis, Math, Transform, Noise, and Random, and then started combining those techniques with what I had learned from the first tutorial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The five-hour limit definitely affected my process. I oiginally had a pretty specific plan, but ended up exploring two connected directions instead of spending the entire time on one organism. I think this actually helped me learn more becuase I was able to experiment with different parts of TouchDesigner and then bring them together in the final piece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I originally planned to use “American Girl” by Tiffany Day, but I changed the song to “GGEZ” becuase I thought its recognizable and intentionally cringe quality would get more of a reaction from the class. I also added the 3D “GGEZ” text becuase I thoguht it would be funny to make the song itself part of the visual. Unfortunately, after listening to it for five hours, it definitely got stuck in my head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One thing that suprised me was how much the different parts of TouchDesigner build on each other. TOPs, SOPs, CHOPs, and POPs initally felt very separate, but it started to understand how they can all work together. I also realized how much a small parameter change can completely hange the final visual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the presentation, the patch ran on its own and held the class’s attention for at least a minute. I also got a noticeable reaction from the class. If I had more time, I would turn the “GGEZ” text into a full lyric visualizer and return to my original organism idea to create a clearer growth adn death cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDocumentation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n