Augmented Reality is gathering momentum, new examples are popping up all the time and they get better and better. Augmented reality is a technology that blurs the line between what is real and what is computer-generated. While virtual reality makes computer generated environments, augmented reality adds graphics, sounds, smells to the natural world as is exists. Here are some clips of what augmented reality can do for for music makers. All this is already here and its going to change the way we make music, the way we perform and the way we listen to music. I cant wait for more of this to come!

This is a demo of the 5 Gum Mixer , a more desribing version is found on their site (Press the 5 Mixer icon down to the left).

Easterislandhead put this video about the ARDJ on Vimeo

"ARDJ is a system designed to put creative control of DJ-style performance into the hands of the viewer. This work incorporates a simple, and virtually no-cost interface into a digital music workstation making use of Augmented Reality technology. Along with the technological aspects, the work challenges conventional ideas regarding performance, song structure, and interactivity between music consumer and producer."

ARDJ - Augmented Reality DJ System from easterislandhead on Vimeo.

Todd Vanderlin has used his AR camera and markers to make a record scratchable for a DJ.

 "I was playing around with some AR markers the other day and came up with this idea. taking just a plain old vinyl record and attaching an AR marker to the label you can track the record in 3D space. The next question was, can you scratch the record?    So by figuring out the velocity of the records rotation and applying it to the payback of the audio you can scratch. There is some digital noise that needs to bee worked out, but sounds pretty good. Its still really hard to scratch, it takes some practice but is super fun. The next step is to figure out some nice triggers for different modes.    I like the idea of not needing a turntable but the actual spinning of the record helps with the scratching and playback. I made a couple modes, one where the record is paused and you can just scratch through the song. The other looks for zero velocity for x time and then continues on with the song. If there is velocity you then are scratching and the audio is affected. I think that this project has some legs can’t wait to play more."

AR scratching from vanderlin on Vimeo.