While FileMix emphasizes performance interactivity, creativity in FileMixAuto is expressed through the making of soundfiles and in selecting various presets that ensure a desired mood and texture.

FileMixAuto can handle 1-4 mono and/or stereo soundfiles. The files can be of any sample rate and a variety of uncompressed formats including WAV and AIFF; also Ogg/Vorbis, but not MP3. The Ogg/Vorbis format is only possible when the Sugar version is later than 0.84, which excludes the original XO-1 and SoaS Strawberry. The XO-1.5 works fine with Ogg, as does the XO-1 when upgraded to Sugar 0.84.

However, the Ogg/Vorbis format (which is written by later versions of the Record activity) can be used by SoaS Strawberry (0.84) if libsndfile is updated. This can be done while connected to the internet by issuing the following commands in the Terminal:
su
yum update libsndfile

Children are encouraged to create their own soundfiles, especially to make their own nature soundscapes. (This is the primary intent behind this activity. The four short "nature" files included here are abbreviated versions of those from the author's DUSK AT ST. FRANCIS SPRINGS [www.arthunkins.com], and are identical to those in FileMix.)

The resultant soundscapes can to set to play from 30 seconds up to 24 hours, and can be shut off prematurely whenever desired. They can be used as background for movement, pantomime, dramatic productions, meditation/relaxation, or just to create a mood.

The natural vehicle for soundfile creation is the Record activity. This activity is fairly simple and straightforward; the only problem is that many versions of it do not work with various incarnations of Sugar. The following pairings of Record with Sugar seem to work reliably: v64 with Sugar-on-a-Stick Strawberry (0.84 - works rather poorly); and v86 with XO-1.5, and XO-1 upgraded to Sugar 0.84. Sugar 0.86 (Blueberry) and above (as of 5/2011) are compatible with Record v90/91, including XO's upgraded to at least Sugar 0.90 (Mango lassi - Fedora 14).

Soundfiles must be moved into the folder where the activity resides, and be renamed soundin.1 through soundin.4. Alternatively, wav or ogg/vorbis files may be loaded via the Journal. (The README explains how advanced students may create soundfiles with the excellent Audacity application or on an external system, save them [in wav or ogg/vorbis format] to a USB drive, and load them via the Journal. For more on Audacity, see http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Audacity.)

English text only; for older children.

This activity is co-hosted at:
http://www.arthunkins.com

Git repository:

git://git.sugarlabs.org/filemixauto/mainline.git

NOTE: The built-in speakers of the XO-1, or any laptop/netbook, are completely inadequate for anything but testing. Even the least expensive set of stereo headphones is quite satisfactory however. Otherwise, a decent stereo system with spaced speakers is required.

Creator/Maintainer: Art Hunkins (www.arthunkins.com)

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Two additional sets of sound files are available:

1) REMEMBERING O'O: Sound Files for FileMix and FileMixAuto
Hosted at: http://www.arthunkins.com
An explanatory text file: http://www.arthunkins.com/RememberSugar.txt
Zip archive containing above text file and set of 4 soundfiles:
http://www.arthunkins.com/RememberSugar.zip
The Kauai O'o is a now-extinct bird formerly native to the Hawaiian island of Kauai. The introduction of black rat, domestic pig and disease-carrying mosquitoes are thought to have contributed to its demise in the late 1980's.

2) PEEPERS: Sound Files for FileMix and FileMixAuto
Hosted at: http://www.arthunkins.com
An explanatory text file: http://www.arthunkins.com/PeepersSugar.txt
Zip archive containing above text file and set of 4 soundfiles:
http://www.arthunkins.com/PeepersSugar.zip
Spring peepers are small frogs common throughout the eastern USA and Canada. They are typically found in forests and wetlands in large numbers.

Image Gallery

Support

Support for this activity is provided by the developer at http://www.arthunkins.com or by sending an e-mail to abhunkin at uncg dot edu

Developer Comments

Please report bugs or other issues to the author at:
abhunkin@uncg.edu

Version 5 — September 12, 2011 — 7,211 KB

Version 5 Changes: GUI tweaks

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