Digging in the Crates [Flash, Sound]

Digging in the Crates is an interactive installation by Roland Loesslein which attempts to explore Sampling as a production technology of modern music. Dynamic music data is navigated using modified turntables with information graphics helping understand the complex relationships that exist between the sample and composition.

Besides the history of sampling or technical backgrounds of the digitization of analog audio signals, visitors can also obtain information on the dissociation of sample-based productions and other musicological phenomena such as remixes, mashups or covers. As a highlight of the exhibition the visitor can slip into the role of a producer and goes on a fascinating search for suitable samples, which will be found on soul, funk and jazz records of the 70s and 80s.

Digging in the Crates aims to describe the sampling culture in all its aspects, characteristics, and influences. Not only the understanding of the creative process as a craft but also the effort and creative processes associated with sampling should be communicated authentically.

Visitors can choose from 50 old records of the 70s and 80s. All of these records contain one or more samples, which can be analyzed by placing the records on the turntable. A projection onto the record itself shows included samples as shaded areas. The old records can either be played or analyzed. To choose between these two modes, the on / off switch of the turntable is pressed. A modified turntable acts as an tangible interface to navigate and analyze each single sample on the placed record.

“Digging in the Crates” is a diploma thesis in the Department of Design at the University of Applied Sciences in Augsburg by developer and designer Roland Loesslein.

More of his work can be viewed online at http//www.weaintplastic.com

Digging in the Crates was created using Flash Actionscript3/Adobe Air.