Fez soundtrack contains hidden data • Hacker News Board

Re: Fez soundtrack contains hidden data

#11

Post by groby_b » Fri, Apr 20, 2012, 11:29 PM UTC

mgunes wrote: post #8

It's become somewhat of a tradition among electronic musicians to embed graphics into spectrograms, the most widely known example being Aphex Twin's "Windowlicker" (1999). A few examples, including that one: http://www.bastwood.com/?page_id=10 There must be precursors of the practice before the advent of computer music, or even digital/electronic music production altogether, but I can't recall any; I'd love to be poi…

Oh, absolutely. Earliest one I'm aware of is Bach's "Art of the fugue", where he embedded his name as a third voice.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BACH_motif

Re: Fez soundtrack contains hidden data

#12

Post by blantonl » Sat, Apr 21, 2012, 12:47 AM UTC

First off, how did the person who found this come about this? They must have been tipped off.

Second, this could be (is?) a great way to covertly transmit information. Wow!

Finally, where are the patents on this? :)

Re: Fez soundtrack contains hidden data

#13

Post by EmmanuelOga » Sat, Apr 21, 2012, 1:34 AM UTC

mgunes wrote: post #8

It's become somewhat of a tradition among electronic musicians to embed graphics into spectrograms, the most widely known example being Aphex Twin's "Windowlicker" (1999). A few examples, including that one: http://www.bastwood.com/?page_id=10 There must be precursors of the practice before the advent of computer music, or even digital/electronic music production altogether, but I can't recall any; I'd love to be poi…

It is pretty easy to accomplish too. Here is a perl program an explanation on how to encode images on sounds.

http://www.ohmpie.com/imageencode/

Re: Fez soundtrack contains hidden data

#14

Post by monk_the_dog » Sat, Apr 21, 2012, 1:51 AM UTC

I saw "Indie Game The Movie" last night (http://www.indiegamethemovie.com/). They followed the ups and downs of developing fez and super meat boy (and some braid).

If you're racing to develop something before you run out of money, take a break and go see this movie. You'll love it.

Re: Fez soundtrack contains hidden data

#15

Post by joshu » Sat, Apr 21, 2012, 4:02 AM UTC

mgunes wrote: post #8

It's become somewhat of a tradition among electronic musicians to embed graphics into spectrograms, the most widely known example being Aphex Twin's "Windowlicker" (1999). A few examples, including that one: http://www.bastwood.com/?page_id=10 There must be precursors of the practice before the advent of computer music, or even digital/electronic music production altogether, but I can't recall any; I'd love to be poi…

for some bizarre reason, i was interviewed about this. in 2002.

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2002/05/52426

Re: Fez soundtrack contains hidden data

#16

Post by aw3c2 » Sat, Apr 21, 2012, 10:21 AM UTC

blantonl wrote: post #12

First off, how did the person who found this come about this? They must have been tipped off. Second, this could be (is?) a great way to covertly transmit information. Wow! Finally, where are the patents on this? :)

Some audio players have a spectrogram visualisation, iirc Winamp has one included by default.

Re: Fez soundtrack contains hidden data

#17

Post by andyouthink » Sat, Apr 21, 2012, 2:47 PM UTC

This one on the left looks like the center includes three channels of something- whether it is audio or not, I can't tell, but these should be isolated to look at in more detail: http://www.geek.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Adobe-Soundbo...

The bit to the right looks a little like a set of DNA sequences, but I bet it isn't.