Installation and Quick Start

Here are some quick and easy steps to get you going.

Software Installation

   To install the software run the InterOscitor.exe program you downloaded to unpack the files.  Then run the program setup.exe and follow the directions in the windows which appear.

Connecting the equipment

The following diagram shows in general how the computer, camera, synthesizer and sound system for your InterOscitorTM should be connected.

Refer to the sections below for instructions on setting up each component.

Connecting a video camera

   See the instructions that came with your camera.  Generally you will need to plug the camera into the computer and install a software driver.  Test the camera with the viewing software included with the camera to make sure that the driver is working correctly.

Connecting a MIDI synthesizer

   There are a large variety of MIDI synthesizers, each with different features, so we can only provide general instructions here on how to connect a MIDI synth.  The easiest method is to use the MIDI synth that is probably already built into your computer.  Any built in synths will be automatically detected by the program and will be available on the Options menu.  Simply select the one you want to use.  Then connect the Line Out or Speaker connection on your computer to a sound system.
   In a similar manner you can use the Options menu to select any external MIDI interfaces you have connected.  Your external synth must be configured to respond to General MIDI with pitch bend messages and volume controller 7 messages.  The output is on MIDI channel 1.  Connect a MIDI cable between the external MIDI interface device and your synthesizer or synthesizer module.  Connect the sound output from your synth to a sound system.

Orient your monitor

Orient your computer monitor or laptop display so you can see it as you stand in front of the camera.  This will help you tell what effect your movements are having.

Run the program

0. Turn off your screensaver.  Since you will not be touching your computer while using the InterOscitorTM the screensaver will automatically run after a while unless you turn it off.  This will cause erratic performance and may make the main window unselectable if running with the title bar off (the title bar is turned off/on using the Space key.  Use ALT-TAB to get back to the main window so you can press Space again to restore the title bar if this happens.)
1. Run the InterOscitorTM program.  If it says it can't find the video device, select one from the Options menu.
2. Select a MIDI synth from the Options menu.  Usually this will be the synthesizer that came with the sound card installed in your computer.  If you have more than one sound card or an external MIDI interface, they should also appear in the Options menu.  Select the one you want to use.  (Note that external MIDI interfaces which are not General MIDI compatable are not supported in this version of the program.)
3. Turn up the volume on your computer and audio system.
4. Move the camera around until you hear some sounds.  If you don't see any video and aren't getting any sounds see the Fixing Problems section below.
5. You should now be able to alter the volume and pitch of the sound by moving around in front of the camera.  Wave your hands around until you figure out what effect different movements have.  Watch the image on the computer screen to figure out where your hands must be to control the pitch and volume on the right and left sides of the screen.
5. Change the sound by selecting a new General MIDI "patch" in the General MIDI menu.
6. You're having fun!

Visit the Tutorial section next to learn more about using your InterOscitorTM including how to optimize backgrounds and control it more precisely.
 

Fixing problems

No Sounds

   If the video is appearing on the screen and you can see the control bars moving up and down with the image, but there is still no sound coming from your computers sound card then check that you have selected the correct MIDI device in the Options menu.
Check that the volume control on the computer and the amplifier and the synth is turned up.
Check the WindowsTM volume control (double click on the small yellow speaker icon in the icon tray in the lower right hand corner of the screen) to make sure the Synth and master volume controls are turned up (if you don't see a Synth volume control select Options from the menu and enable it there).  It is possible the WindowsTM volume control has not been installed in which case you can install it by calling up the Control Panel, selecting Add/Remove Programs, and clicking on the WindowsTM Setup tab.  Then click on Multimedia and then click on the Details button.  Scroll down until you see Volume Control and click the check box next to it so that a check mark appears.  Click OK and OK again and the volume control should be installed and appear in the icon box in the lower right corner of the task bar.  You may need to supply your WindowsTM CDROM to install the appropriate files.  If the sound is present but distorted, call up the WindowsTM volume control (the little speaker icon in the system tray) and lower the Synth volume.

No MIDI

   If the video on the screen is appearing and you can see the control bars moving up and down with the image, but you are not getting a MIDI signal from the computer, then check that you have selected the correct MIDI device in the Option menu.
Check that the MIDI routing is correct by calling up the Control Panel, double clicking on Multimedia, click on the MIDI tab, and verify that your sound card synth module appears there and is selected.  If it's not selected, select it and press OK.  If there are no synth modules there then you need to install the synth module driver.  See the documentation for your sound card and computer.
Make sure the volume control for your speakers is turned up.   Locate the MidiTest.mid file in the InterOscitor directory and double click on it.  Your standard media player should play the file and you should hear it on the speakers.  This is a good way to test that your MIDI synth and drivers are properly installed.  You can also try checking the Multimedia/MIDI settings in the Control Panel.
If it still doesn't work try reinstalling the drivers for your sound card.

No Video

   If no video is appearing then check that your video camera is properly connected.  If you have more than one video device check that the correct video driver is selected in the Options menu.  Check that the correct driver for your camera is installed.  Try running one of the programs that came with the camera to check that it works properly.  Your camera must have a driver that is compatable with Video For Windows (VFW) in order to work properly.  (Almost all cameras should come with a VFW driver as a standard part of their driver package.  Only very old cameras may not have a VFW driver.)
It is possible the video driver has been left in an unusable state by another program so try rebooting your computer to reload the driver afresh.
If it still doesn't work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the video driver according to the instructions that came with your camera.

Other problems
   One general troubleshooting technique to try if the program is not responding correctly is to reboot Windows.  This will often solve problems with video, MIDI, and audio drivers left in an unusable state by other programs.
   Another general troubleshooting technique to try if the program used to work and then suddenly stopped working is to uninstall and reinstall the program.  It is possible the program became corrupted on the disk or the registry settings it uses became corrupted.  Reinstalling the program will fix these types of problems.  Running the program "scandisk" beforehand is a good idea to make sure any disk drive problems have been repaired.
   If another program runs automatically (such as a screensaver or virus checker) while the InterOscitorTM is running with the title bar turned off (i.e., the space key has been pressed) then it becomes difficult to select the  InterOscitorTM window since it has no title bar.  If this happens you can press ALT-TAB to cycle through all the windows until you get to the  InterOscitorTM window.  Then press the space bar to restore the title bar.
   To uninstall, use the Add/Remove Programs feature in the Control Panel.

This entire document is Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2002 Peterson Enterprises
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.