An application for using the Nintendo DS handheld console as a Controller using OSC (OpenSoundControl) as the Protocol.
The OSC protocol was originally conceived as a successor to the MIDI protocol. It is a very flexible means of sending arbitrary controller data in various formats and types over standard network protocols (usually UDP is used). OSC drivers are available for a large range of Music/Multimedia applications, such as:
- Max/MSP
- PureData (Open Source)
- Supercollider (Open Source)
- NI Reaktor
Programs to map OSC streams to MIDI exist as well (but also Tools like PureData can be used for that) to allow you to control your classic sound hardware with OSCpad.
Currently only available as source and in prototype state. The following features are implemented:
- Sending Touch Screen data (Only X, Y for now, Pressure is planned)
- Sending NDSMotion data (X,Y,Z, Gyro) in raw format
The following things are planned for the 1.0 release:
- Sending Button UP/DOWN messages for every button on the NDS (except the SELECT button, as this will open up the Menu to do configuration)
- Sending Pressure Data for the touch screen (Someone please help me here…)
- Configuration dialogues (alternatively only use a config file) to set the target IP address etc.
- Configurable input selection (making it possible to only send part of the aquired data)
- Beauty. Yes yes.
The following ideas lurk around in the back of my mind:
- Allowing a backchannel, for example using the NDS screens to display a KAOSSPad style matrix, or even text display by receiving OSC messages. Other ideas include using a Rumble Card (if present) as some kind of metronome for the performing artist.
- Using Microphone input as an additional sensor stream
The source of OSCpad is available at my GitHub Account. Future releases will also be available at my website as binaries.
