Flash MX Turntable Launched
It was nearly two months ago today that I wrote about updating my Flash turntable experiment, originally created in Flash 4, using nothing but Flash MX specific ActionScript syntax. Today Dominey Design launches the result - Flash MX Turntable.
Because so many of the improvements are "under the hood," the following are some of the most notable changes to the back-end.
- Neither the Flash 4 nor 5 player could detect the length of an audio clip. As a result, it was practically impossible to control animations or effects based on when an audio clip ended. Because of the limitation, the original turntable played mp3s of equal length - 90 seconds. The needle arm then rotated the appropriate amount to create a believable illusion. But, admittedly, it was a hack. Finally with Flash MX the needle arm detects the length of the mp3, and rotates across the face of the record in perfect time. For extra realism, the turntable also plays sound effects, including the initial drop of the needle and subsequent dust, in addition to the "rub" at the very end before finally retracting back to position. The mp3s are left in their original state, and the player "wraps" the effects around the beginning and end of each track.
- Artist, title, album, and label information are dynamically loaded from the id3 tags embedded in the mp3 files (and thus the reason why you must use Flash player 6 rev 40 or higher, which included support for this). Unfortunately id3 tags are contained at the end of each mp3, so you can't "see" the info until the mp3 begins. But it saves having to type up the variables in a text file.
- In the previous turntable, one instance of the vinyl record was placed on stage for each and every track. Obviously not the most optimized scenario. Now records are dynamically attached, placed, and styled with an appropriate center label to match the current selection.
- There are only a couple of frame motion tweens in the entire movie. The rest of the motion is completely scripted with ActionScript, including masks. There are also no buttons. Yes, no buttons. All the buttons are actually Flash MX movie clips masquerading as buttons, which allow developers much more flexibility with their event actions.
- Because Flash MX also comes with new color objects as well, I thought it would be fun to all users to "skin" the player to their liking. Not only does the physical interface change color, but all the text fields and interface elements from top to bottom. Pay attention to the text fields and preloader bars when you change themes.
Truth is, this application could have been done a month ago had I used Flash MX sound objects, and then designed everything else using Flash 5 methodology. But I wanted to branch out and learn the new, more object-oriented methods of creating a piece such as this. As a result, the application is extremely flexible if I ever decided to change the content.
Speaking of the content, it's all from albums I've been listening to around the office lately. Some nutty, some cool, some funky. Enjoy.
Comments
awesome work, and nice record collection!
only issues: "about" text is difficult to read with a couple of the color settings, and it would be nice to be able to pick up the needle to skip around.
bonus points for including a "9 to 5" remix.
:)
Posted by: nathan at October 10, 2002 2:24 PM
The grabbing of the needle was definitely a consideration, but it would have required a total re-write of the logic behind the needle. Once I get a little extra time I'll probably go back and add that in.
Posted by: Todd at October 10, 2002 2:27 PM
Excellent realism, I'm very impressed. However, I agree with Nathan that the text is too hard to read in the options section. I have OS X set to a pc-type gamma for web design purposes and can just barely see the text.
Posted by: Lauri at October 10, 2002 2:27 PM
Awesome stuff! Love charles webster :)
Picking up the needle would be a cool addition... sounds like the natural next step. What you *have* done is thuper! Will you ever be updating the tracks?
Posted by: courtney at October 10, 2002 2:40 PM
Brilliant stuff Todd. How do you do the scripted mask tweens? Know of any tutorials?
Posted by: tim at October 10, 2002 6:27 PM
Question: what ID3 tag version does Flash 6 Player 6r40 support? I ask this because v1.x tags are (as you say) stored at the end of the file...but v2.x tags are stored at the beginning (and can hold much more data).
Posted by: Wevah at October 10, 2002 8:46 PM
Nevermind, I found it...sorry to waste your time and space....
Posted by: Wevah at October 10, 2002 8:51 PM
ID3v2 tags are stored at the end of files, but ID3v1 tags are stored at the beginning. More info here:
An MP3 can contain both v1 and v2 tags. If you use iTunes, you can change the ID3 version of a track with "Convert ID3 Tags..." in the "Advanced" menu.
Posted by: ian thompson at October 10, 2002 8:51 PM
cool stuff you got there! :) one gribe, if i were to pull another record out while i'm listening to one, the record will lay over the display and hopefully there'll be something that can slide the record back into the sleeve so that the info can still be seen.
Posted by: cynics at October 10, 2002 11:56 PM
I love it, nice music sellections too. The only thing i would add would be that red light that shines on the player, you know the one you see on really nice players, to make sure its playing at the right speed
Posted by: Jamie at October 11, 2002 1:13 AM
Soooo cool! I love Jobim. Your record collection rocks and the turntable is genius!
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Shwingster at October 16, 2002 11:02 PM
