A cool new ARKit demo shows how Apple’s new platform could be used to create a trippy and unique way of recording and visualizing sound.
The latest proof-of-concept video comes from code artist Zach Lieberman. The demo turns sound into a three-dimensional wave pattern, allowing musicians — or anyone else — to manipulate audio in a variety of ways.
Quick test of recording sound in space and playing back by moving through it (video has audio !) #openframeworks pic.twitter.com/GdZcK3rj1L
— zach lieberman (@zachlieberman) September 6, 2017
iOS 11 is set to take augmented reality mainstream. And ARKit is destined to be Apple’s biggest innovation in years.
While Lieberman’s demo is not necessarily the future of music-creation apps, it’s definitely a striking effect.
It’s also yet another showcase of the kind of visually striking demos ARKit can be used to create. (It also reminds us a whole lot of this nifty iPad demo from back in the day.)
Apple’s ARKit will make augmented reality mainstream
Apple previously referred to developers’ rapid response to ARKit as “unbelievable.” After Apple unveiled the framework for making augmented reality apps at June’s Worldwide Developers Conference, devs rushed to create demos that explore AR’s possibilities.
So far, we’ve everything from nifty mapping apps to more “out there” efforts like this retro music video-themed concept.
As with the early days of the App Store, not every AR app is going to be a winner. However, the sheer range of applications we’ve seen so far suggests this technology already has captured the imagination of many developers.
In addition to ARKit for the iPhone, Apple reportedly has hundreds of engineers working on a standalone AR headset (although there’s no release date yet). If you really can’t wait for an AR headset, Los Angeles startup Mira plans to launch its $99 Mira Prism headset later this year.
What has been your favorite ARKit demo so far? Are you a musician, and can you see a possible use for this particular creation? Leave your comments below.
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
One response to “Trippy ARKit demo turns sound into 3D waveforms”
I see Radiohead using this in their next music video. It’s their kind of trippy.