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WiFi-MIDI Sniffer screenshot

WiFi-MIDI Sniffer

by lozcliffe

A M4L device which sonifies scanned WiFi RSSI values. The RS...

View on maxforlive.com

Type
MIDI Effect
Author
lozcliffe
Version
1.0
License
AttributionNonCommercialShareAlike
Live version
11.3.11
Max version
8.5.4
Downloads
177
Updated
2023-09-26

Description

A M4L device which sonifies scanned WiFi RSSI values. The RSSI values of the scanned and collected wifi networks are mapped to MIDI note values and played through a basic sequencer with various controls. Tempo can be controlled through the main transport and the MIDI note values fluctuate as new RSSI values for the scanned wi-fi networks are returned by the system query. The device uses the Max shell external to execute the shell airport scan command in macOS only. The device enables the generation of evolving musical output from ambient wifi data.

Video demo here: https://vimeo.com/867980974

Instructions (this is currently for MacOS only I'm afraid):

1. Add the device to a MIDI track

2. Press 'Start Sniffing'

3. Wait for any found networks to start showing up - this can take a minute or so (wifi will need to be turned on)

4. Press play in Ableton's main transport

5. Send the MIDI output from the track with WiFi-MIDI Sniffer on to another track with a MIDI instrument, or do something else with it...

Please feedback via comments below.

Comments (10)

  • irishmos · September 25 2023
    I hit sniff, waited, turn sniff off and nothing. This looks interesting but I can't grasp the approach from the description above.
    Youtube video?
  • lozcliffe · September 25 2023
    Thanks for the feedback - sorry you couldn't get it working.
    I've updated the instructions and added a link to a quick demo video: https://vimeo.com/867980974
  • irishmos · September 25 2023
    Seems it can't see my wifi. Phones, tablet, computer clearly does. Can't imagine anything is set in the IT room to block this. Rather elaborate business wifi connect in the building.
  • lozcliffe · September 25 2023
    Hmmm. Wondering if you need to make a symbolic link to the airport command in your terminal?
    sudo ln -s /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/airport /usr/local/bin/airport
  • lozcliffe · September 25 2023
    Don't worry, scrap that last comment - I'm querying the full path in the device so that can't be the issue...
  • irishmos · September 25 2023
    Yea, My bro who owns the studio/apt complex here won't be into me modifying the IT config. We have a dedicated IT guy that handles it all.
  • irishmos · September 25 2023
    Is it possible that my being on an 8 yr old Imac is the issue?
  • lozcliffe · September 26 2023
    Maybe. What OS version are you running?
  • irishmos · September 26 2023
    Catalina
  • lozcliffe · September 28 2023
    Should work on Catalina.
    Maybe try running an airport scan directly from your terminal: https://osxdaily.com/2007/01/18/airport-the-little-known-command-line-wireless-utility/

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