Low-Fi D.I.Y.
An Intro to Circuit Bending
Since the beginning of micromusic/chip-tunes/circuit bending (see www.8bitcollective.org, www.micromusic.net or groups.yahoo.com/group/bendersanonymous for more info), the use of low-bit (2/4/8-bit) audio sources has been a way of combining new and old technology to create something new. Focusing in on a small medium within the microworld of low-bit music we have the classic GameBoy, aka the old gray brick. And this once-childhood icon (for those of us born in the '80s) is now being use to create energy-packed dance music. Using D.I.Y. programmed carts running programs such as LittleSoundSDJ and Nanoloop, the user can create his/her own videogame-sourced music while sitting on the couch!

The musical software has been created, but that still leaves hardware to be improved, and improved it was. With the knowledge of simple Pic programming, you can now sync (via MIDI timecode) these GameBoys, Commodore 64s, Ataris, etc. -- all via MIDI. Or go one step further and actually control the "synth" engine in the device via MIDI (MidiNES, www.wayfar.net), just like any other synth module you have in the rack. Although I recommend clearing at least two spaces in your rack for the old NES system to fit!

Logan Erickson (aka LameBoy) bases his music and electronic projects around the world of circuit bending and low-bit music. He is the founder of Benders Anonymous (an online circuit-bending community) and is a host on Micro Sound Dee Jay, a podcast dedicated to the low-bit music uploaded to www.8bitcollective.org.

IESD Parties at Todd AO
On December 5, 2007, the Interactive Entertainment Sound Developers (IESD) held its inaugural event at Todd AO studios in Santa Monica, Calif. The event was host to more than 50 sound designers, producers, directors and programmers, both in-house and freelance. The event was hosted by Soundelux DMG.

Scott Gershin (Soundelux), Scott Selfon (Microsoft), Gene Semel (Sony) and Dave Murrant (Sony) kicked off the evening with an introduction to IESD and an explanation of the organization. As the directors of IESD, they said that IESD is a branch of the Game Audio Network Guild that caters more specifically to professionals working in the field, and is poised to offer workshops, standards committees and other events to address the needs of the professionals working not only in game audio, but any interactive media.

Paul Lipson also stated that any interested parties not already in the Game Audio Network Guild should join to support the organization. Ideas were also requested for things the IESD could assist with, and a number of suggestions were tabled for further discussion.

EA audio director Paul Lackey gave a great demonstration about the sound design and sound integration for Medal of Honor: Airborne. He showed such techniques as multiple distance crossfades for weapons and other sounds that yielded very dramatic results. Thirty-six microphones were used in the recording sessions to achieve these crossfade variations.

For more information on IESD, visit www.audiogang.org.

Emergent Games Inks Deal With Sony Online
Emergent Game Technologies announced that Sony Online Entertainment LLC has selected Gamebryo to create leading titles for the PlayStation Network. The first games under development on Gamebryo are based on gameshow IPs and are scheduled to launch prior to the Game Developers Conference in February 2008.

"Our relationship with SOE aligns Emergent with the exploding casual, online games market and further demonstrates the range of leading entertainment properties and platforms that Gamebryo is capable of supporting. We are thrilled that SOE has chosen us as a technology provider for their studio," said Geoffrey Selzer, CEO of Emergent. "Gamebryo gives SOE's studio the flexibility to design a complete range of titles to address the millions of gamers currently active on the network."