The Studio of the Mind is a sound production facility in the Brain Sciences Center where classic analog synthesizers meet modern digital technology.  The studio is designed to be a multi-purpose facility, suitable for converting data to sound (sonification), creating audio stimuli, producing graphics, analyzing data and developing online materials.

     Research Fellow Roger Dumas designed, built and runs the Studio of the Mind.  Roger was a software writer in the 1970's with synthesizer manufacturers ARP Instruments, Inc. and Moog Music, Inc. He has worked in recording studios with such notable artists as Prince, and John Lennon and received gold and platinum record awards for his work on Janet Jackson's "Control" album and the world-famous tune "Funkytown" (Lipps Inc). In his role as an educator, Roger directed the Electronic Music Program at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN from 1987 to 2006.

     Two Moog System 55 modular synthesizers built in 1975 help us to produce audio stimuli for use in MEG experiments.  Along with our state-of-the-art digital synthesizer modules, the Moogs are computer-controlled through a musical instrument digital interface (MIDI).  Digital Performer© sequencing/recording software provides a superb graphical user interface for the creation, editing and playback of multi-track digital audio and MIDI files.

Hear some examples of brain activation sonfications!

Hardware:

Moog System 55 modular analog synthesizers (2)

Roland JV-1010 digital synthesizer modules (4)

Boss VF-1 24-bit multi-effects processor

Encore Expressionist 8-channel MIDI-CV converter

MOTU MIDI Express interface

MOTU 828 Firewire digital audio interface

Rane SM82 rack mixer

Rane MH4 stereo headphone console

KRK V8 studio monitor speakers (2)

Alesis ADAT II 8-track digital recorders (2)

Apple Macintosh G4 (MacOSX 10.3)

JLCooper CS10 mixer-controller

Advent Powered Partners AV570 speakers (2)

Gateway Pentium 4 (Windows 2000)

Audio production software: (all ®)

MOTU Digital Performer 4.12

Cycling '74 MaxMSP 4.2.1

SoundConverter

Ambrosia Wiretap

CherryPicker

Cider Factory iPiano

RogueAmoeba AudioHijack

Sonic Foundry SoundForge 7.0

Apple iTunes