Tribute to old media: A Clockwork Binary

A Clockwork Binary

This project combines two media that are used to display time. The mechanical clock is used to show a futuristic LED binary clock.

How can you tell the time on a binary clock?

On a binary clock a base-2 number system is used for counting, in stead of our regular base-10 system. The rows represent the number 1, 2, 4 and 8. The columns represent, from left to right: tens of hours, hours, tens of minutes and minutes. When an LED is on, its value should be multiplied with the amount that column represents. When several LEDs in a column are on, their values should be first added together. So, in the example in the diagram it is 19.56

Old new media hero: Koji Kondo 

An old new media hero of mine is Koji Kondo. This Japanese musician has composed the music of many amazing video games, most notably the Mario and The Legend of Zelda series.

Kondo was the first person Nintendo hired for music composition. Due to this lack of experience, Kondo went through the same application process as the other developers: he never even had to play any of his earlier compositions.

Kondo had to explore this new way of making music. In stead of playing the piano, he would manipulate the program so that other sounds would be produced. This lack of direct feedback was a big challenge he had to overcome. Another challenge was the very limited capacity of the game cartridges, which made quick repetition inevitable. An interesting aspect of the composing of video game music, is the way the Kondo had to collaborate with the game developers. For example: Kondo composed the first versions of the music for Super Mario Bros for the NES with a beta version of the game, which was nothing more than Mario running through dark space.

Although the conditions in which Koji Kondo had to compose were technologically very limited, his music is still known and loved by millions. The main theme of Super Mario Bros has been a best-selling ringtone for years. The soundtrack of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, has been covered by many musicians, including this orchestrated version.