Developer, audio programmer, sound designer, musician
Practicing sound-focused software developer, focused on making tools for musicians and sound designers. Specialized in the field of web audio for a masters of science degree, with distinction, from University of Edinburgh.
DATA VISUALIZATION
Hidden cost of Food
Made with: Python/Django, Vanilla JS, CSS Flexbox
We all grew up learning to conserve water by taking shorter showers, but is that enough? What are the hidden ways we use water in our daily lives? This project sets out to make clear just how much water goes into our food by using a unit of measurement that is immediately understandable: a shower.
Tools
Playing in the waves: tour
Made with: JavaScript, p5.js, Tone.js
For my dissertation project at the University of Edinburgh, I developed a friendly and approachable series of audio tools designed to make visually clear how certain DSP processes work. Made to be an educational tool, each page facilitates making fun sounds in as few clicks as possible. This project is free and accessible to anyone with a web browser.
playing in the waves: Playground
Made with: JavaScript, p5.js, Tone.js
For users who are already familiar with DSP and audio manipulation, I made a fully functioning audio play space. Record your voice (or any other sounds around you) or use the pre-loaded samples on each of the 3 tracks. Each track comes loaded with 8 audio effects that can be parameterized via an intuitive graphical interface.
Switchstrument
Made with: Max MSP, Nintendo Joy-Con
As a lover of both video games and music, I combined these passions into an instrument controlled entirely via a Nintendo Switch controller. I designed the system to work well as a synthesizer, rhythm generator, and sampler/looper considering the ergonomic demands of a game controller. Designed and implemented in Max MSP.
EXPERIENCES
memory lake
Made with: Unity, Wwise
After many interviews with friends and family, I planted their nostalgic stories in trees all around Memory Lake. The player can wander this idealized, cartoony world and enjoy the stories of people they’ll never meet, but maybe can relate to. All assets, from the field recordings that make up the outdoor sounds, the visuals, and the audio programming, were done by me.
Tone chaser: generative drone
Made with: C++, JUCE
This program is a standalone drone generator that will create a totally unique sonic experience each time it is used. Is made up of two synth programs interacting together: a ‘ThickSynth’ which is a vector of oscillators and fluctuates up and down, and a ‘ChaseSynth’ which jumps across the stereo field chasing different filter cutoff frequencies generated by the ‘ThickSynth’.
wordpress
wordpress websites
Made with: WordPress
I offer website creation, overhaul, consultation, or maintenance via the WordPress platform. SEO, eCommerce, portfolios, personal websites, crazy ideas, nothing is off limits.
about me
Performing live music has been a part of my life since I was 12, so much so that I received a formal education in the craft and spent a decade traveling the world and living off it. I had always been interested in programming thanks to DOS computer games and Myspace custom HTML/CSS, but in 2016 I started to learn C and Python through Harvard’s CS50 online course.
In between gigs, touring, and living/working on cruise ships, I was making text adventure games for my girlfriend (now wife) in Python and working in the family business cleaning up code for my data scientist brother. When Covid-19 shut everything down in 2020, I decided to make it official and take the jump to a formal course and continue my higher education. I moved to Edinburgh to receive a MSc with Distinction in the field of Sound Design, specializing in web audio.
Now I live and work in the North West of England as a freelance developer. I can make a VST or AU with C++ and JUCE, prototype any media software with Max MSP, can make any kind of website with WordPress, or from the ground up with Django and React. I am very hungry to continue learning and developing as a programmer, and am passionate about sharing my progress so others like me can learn from all my mistakes (learning opportunities) along the way.
contact me
Thank you for your response. ✨
Chris Duvall 