New Application for Salsa Rhythm Visualization

[Uri Shaked]

Hi Guys,

Many of you are already familiar with our Salsa Rhythm & Timing videos:
(example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-qaWk0VJ0I)

We are now starting to work on creating a new software to bring this technology to your desktop with many popular Salsa songs.
The idea is to build the new product hand-in-hand with you, the community, and get your feedback from the very first day of the program.

In order to begin, we need some basic information about your computer. Please take a moment to answer the following two questions:

1. Computer Operating System?  (Windows / Mac)
2. Do you have Java installed? (Yes / No / Don't Know)

Send the answers in the reply. We will use this information to create a prototype version for sharing with you, so you will be able to give your feedback and help us make the new software better.

Thanks!

Uri

[Tono]

Windows, yes

Uri Shaked <u...@salsa4fun.co.il> wrote:

>Hi Guys,
>
>Many of you are already familiar with our Salsa Rhythm & Timing videos:
>(example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-qaWk0VJ0I)
>
>We are now starting to work on creating a new software to bring this
>technology to your desktop with many popular Salsa songs.
>The idea is to build the new product hand-in-hand with you, the community,
>and get your feedback from the very first day of the program.
>
>In order to begin, we need some basic information about your computer.
>Please take a moment to answer the following two questions:
>

> 1. Computer Operating System? (Windows / Mac)
> 2. Do you have Java installed? (Yes / No / Don't Know)

[Alex Schamenek]

Hi Uri,

I'm super very excited about this project.

I have a high end Windows 7 laptop and yes I have Java.

Alex Schamenek

[Ivica Ignjic]

Windows XP, yes

[Isaac OLEG]

I use Vista and have Java.
Due to the many differnt ways clave changes are inserted in the music today (particularely in Cuban style) I am curious to see how a software can interpret that, or may be I misunderstood the point.
Do you plan another version of beat machine ?
Best regards. ISaac

2012/3/17 Ivica Ignjic <ivic...@gmail.com>

[Simon FUNG]

I use Windows Xp, have Java installed..
Regards,

Simon

--
Simon

[Uri Shaked]

Hi Guys,

Thank you for your amazing cooperation!

So here is the link to the Windows installer:
http://www.salsabeatmachine.org/licensed/visual-salsa/visual-salsa.msi

And a quick description of the project (+ Answer for Isaac's question):
The purpose of the project is to let dancers take a song and visually analyze it (similar to what we do in the Salsa Rhythm & Timing videos) so they could familiarize and test themselves with the rhythm of the same music they dance to in clubs.

This is not intended to be some new version of the Beat Machine, but a completely new project, where it attacks the problem from the opposite side - the Beat Machine lets you assemble new music part by part, and this project is to help you learn how to break down existing music into parts when you hear it.

In this project we are going to work together, as a community, to define how the final product will be. Instead of sending you a beta version, I am sharing with you a very initial prototype - or call it a sketch of the technology that will be a part of the final software. It's going to update on a almost daily basis (auto-updates, so you don't need to download and reinstall every time), so you can see it growing and participate in the process.

At the moment there is a single song, foot-step visualizer, and a beat counter. I would love to hear from you what you think about this prototype, if you encountered any problems during installation or whatsoever.

This is very exciting to ignite this project!
Uri.

[Saneleo Petronella]

Hi Uri,

I have windows 7 and I have java installed.

Saneleo

--
Saneleo Petronella
(+5999) 511-2269

(+5999) 522-2269

[Isaac OLEG]

Hi I tried the software, and I dont find that very convicing. May be the feet moves are not representative of dance steps, may be the visual, does not show the beat in a clear way.

If dancing salsa was only moving the feet on the beat, all military trained people could dance it. it is far more subtle than that and the dancers feet are to be seen as an instrument that plays with the music.

Think for instance  of the way your animation could show Son montuno or chachacha, and you will understand what I mean. Clearly the limits of the principle are too low.

OK it can help a 100% beginner to understand he is moving hess feet on the good beat, but still, there is a loo large delay for the brain to hear+look, then analyze what he had seen. it only can work to focus on the first step correctly.

To be totally honest , looking at those feet moving laterally is soon annoying , to me. A tool to add beats and steps on You tube videos of dancers would be interesting .

Hopefully, dancing is fun and artistic, you cannot really dance well if you don't feel the music, those animated feet dont !! (your project is ambitions but I 'd say it implies a too difficult animation to be realized in a simple way)

Also, dancing mean "dancing the breaks" and eventually changing steps if the music ask for it (on beat or contratiempo are possisble in the same song, stops can be necessary during some breaks, very difficult..)

Best regards

ISaac

2012/3/18 Saneleo Petronella <saneleo.p...@gmail.com>

[Uri Shaked]

Hi Isaac and all the other guys!

I loved reading your feedback. The idea is to go through iterative development and see which ideas fit more. I have just added a new feature: test yourself (tap the rhythm). You don't have to update the software or anything - just start it and you will see the new feature.

Would love to get your feedback on this one as well!

Uri

[Rogelio Antonio Altamirano Muñoz]

unfortunately I could not install the program because it has the extecion .msi I have windows vista anyway I follow the slope of this wonderful aplicaccion

2012/3/20 Uri Shaked <u...@salsa4fun.co.il>

[Uri Shaked]

Hi Rogelio,

Could you please check the size of the MSI file you downloaded? Usually MSI files are able to open on Windows Vista, but perhaps the download was incomplete.

We keep updating the software on a daily basis, adding new features based on the feedback we get...

Uri

2012/3/25 Rogelio Antonio Altamirano Muñoz <raa...@gmail.com>