ScratchML, like GML, is an XML-based format for storing information about the position of the record and crossfader during a scratch performance.

This is a “beta” release of the .SML file format, with sample data for 1 turntable and 1 crossfader. The format is designed to accomodate multiple turntables and crossfaders and a wide variety of data capture techniques, but we’ve only field-tested it against the basic 1 deck + 1 mixer scratch setup, which is what we were working with this weekend.

The two most important fields are:

• <turntable> — stores data about the playback position on the record as a consistently sampled stream of floats, with <samplerate> samples per second.
• <fader> — stores data for crossfader movements, ranging from 0 (full-left) to 1 (full-right). This data is stored only when the fader actually moves, and is stored as <p> (position) and <t> (time) tuplets.

Sample data produced by LM4K, mostly baby scratches and flares: XML / JSON

Spec + commentary:
ScratchML r6 beta spec:

The ScratchML.com database can also automatically convert from XML to JSON for use in javascript visualizations. Change the .xml file extension to .json, and optionally pass a JSONp ?callback= parameter, like this.

During Art Hack Day we converted SML to OSC and broadcast it over the wifi for realtime visualizations — more info to come about that.

SML (Scratch Markup Language) is a new file format for recording and replaying turntablism. We’ve developed open-source tools for accurately capturing the record and crossfader movements of a scratch DJ, allowing us to analyze, transcribe, and recreate scratch performances.

We want to do for turntablism what Graffiti Markup Language has done for tagging — especially teaching giant robot arms how to scratch.

At Art Hack Day we collaborated with other artists and programmers to develop the first prototypes of ScratchML. We used timecode vinyl to capture record movements ($10) and a hacked VCA fader + Arduino to record the crossfader ($30).

Scratch data was saved to disk as .sml and broadcast as OSC, which allowed other Art Hack Day participants to build visualizations based on what the DJ was scratching during the exhibition. The apps ranged from spinning-vinyl animations and TTM transcriptions to insane exploding 3D pizzas and a side-scrolling videogame shooter controlled by scratches.

Our goal is to make capturing, replaying, and sharing a scratch performance accurate and easy. SML files can be freely uploaded and downloaded from the ScratchML.com database. We’re particularly looking forward to improving the experience of learning how to scratch — e.g. by building apps that show you just how accurate your autobahn scratches actually are.

Throughout the week here on FAT we’ll be publishing ScratchML projects created during Art Hack Day, data specs, source code, hardware modification details and more.

Want to get involved? Join the ScratchML mailing list, follow us on GitHub, or email me with any questions. More info to come at scratchML.com

More photos here

Kyle McDonald and I will be developing a new project at the upcoming Art Hack Day in Brooklyn, which culminates in a public art exhibition at 319 Scholes on Saturday, 1/28 at 7pm.

Internet, you are invited to attend. There will be art, technology, free beer (as in beer) and free source code (as in speech). and $3 beers. The source code remains free.

Over the next few days Kyle and I will be working on the first prototypes of Scratch Markup Language, an open-source system for capturing, describing and digitizing turntablism.

Want to get involved? Sign up for the ScratchML mailing list, follow @scratchML on GitHub or join #fatlab IRC and ping @jamiew

My first music videos-only mixtape. Some of my favorites from this year (18 videos, 1 short film). Made with VHX.

For maximum effect click & watch full-browser.

Embed code:
<iframe src="http://vhx.tv/embed/megaplaya.html?url=%2Fjamiew%2Fxmix-2011" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" width="500" height="360"></iframe>

Playlist:

Check out our new stats page and see the over 500 websites that have installed the Occupy Internet widget and the # of hits and unique visitors they’ve generated to date.

http://occupyinter.net/stats

Coming in strong at #1 is tepco.researchlab.jp by Tokyo F.A.T., a protest of the Japanese power company’s wikipedia page — over 150k unique visitors in the last 72 hours.

git-friendly is a collection of shell scripts for automating common git actions: push, pull, branch, merge. I got tired of typing 3 or 4 commands to do such basic stuff, and now my life is awesome.

• `push` also copies a GitHub compare URL to your clipboard for easy pasting (!)
• `pull` will run commands like “bundle install” or “npm install” after finishing
• `branch` will track remote branches if available
• relevant commands stash & pop local changes as needed
• less time fighting git = more time actually doing work

Check out the code and docs on GitHub

To install, just copy/paste: bash < <( curl https://github.com/jamiew/git-friendly/raw/master/install.sh)

Now get back to work:

Just listen to what everyone is saying!

• "Amazeballs." --@paul_irish
• "Don't let git PUSH you around. git git friendly!" --Max Salzberg, Diaspora*
• "I am putting the fucking 'technology' back in Free Art & Technology" --yours truly

Type anything in the box for a continuous, full-browser stream of videos. Get as specific as you want, e.g. dogs welcoming soldiers home.

I made this along with Chad Pugh and Casey Pugh at the 24 hour hackday.tv event this weekend.

The app is just HTML & javascript using a customized VHX embed player — one with no play/pause button, cuz this is nonstop.

» Click here for source code.

See also: Music Video Genome — Pandora for music videos, powered by Last.fm + VHX

If you type “fuck” or “shit” into Google’s new What Do You Love? service you are adorably redirected to “kittens” instead. I dug through their source code and extracted Google’s complete list of unspeakables, embedded below.

Related: FUCK GOOGLE