Google Pixel: mix and create sounds with the Pocket Operator musical UFO
Pocket Operator for Pixel or PO Pixel is an application that uses the “machine learning” features of the processor Tensor Flow. Available on devices since the Pixel 5 generation, PO Pixel offers to upload videos and then let the AI separate sound sequences to play with. It is possible to change the tempo, to add sounds and effects to your sequence, to make loops for a very psychedelic result. So much so that the app prefers to prevent photosensitive people.
A happy mess!
It is unclear ? Wait to see the interface. It’s a merry mess with buttons everywhere, submenus, faders, etc. The best is to open the tutorial… Unfortunately, it is very short, probably not to discourage the curious, and you risk missing out on a lot of features. Fortunately on YouTube you will find more tutorials. It will take a little perseverance to get a nice mix. There’s nothing stopping you from getting your hands dirty with relatively little documentation. It feels like doing anything, but the result is often surprising.
Lots of possibilities!
The application is in English, but pressing Guide, you will know a little more about the interface. The wavy arrow allows you to upload a video recording that you can retrieve from your gallery. But you can also record yourself directly or record your environment. The upper part of the screen could be changed to access other menus. It is from here that we can change the tempo for example. Music lovers who know a little about the chipstune will find a menu patterns which works like the software of yesteryear. At the bottom, there are 4 tracks to be overlaid and the button FX to add sound and video effects to your creation.
PO Pixel will not allow you to make very advanced musical creations, but remains very fun. If you have a Pixel 5, 5a, 6, Pro, 6a, 7 or 7 Pro, we invite you to try the experience! If the tutorial seems a little light to you, take the time to watch this official video which shows the extent of the possibilities offered by Pocket Operator.