The blog post details a meticulous recreation of Daft Punk's "Something About Us," focusing on achieving the song's signature vocal effect. The author breaks down the process, experimenting with various vocoders, synthesizers (including the Talkbox used in the original), and effects like chorus, phaser, and EQ. Through trial and error, they analyze the song's layered vocal harmonies, robotic textures, and underlying chord progressions, ultimately creating a close approximation of the original track and sharing their insights into the techniques likely employed by Daft Punk.
Daniel Chase Hooper created a Sudoku variant called "Cracked Sudoku" where all 81 cells have unique shapes, eliminating the need for row and column lines. The puzzle maintains the standard Sudoku rules, requiring digits 1-9 to appear only once in each traditional row, column, and 3x3 block. Hooper generated these puzzles algorithmically, starting with a solved grid and then fracturing it into unique, interlocking pieces like a jigsaw puzzle. This introduces an added layer of visual complexity, making the puzzle more challenging by obfuscating the traditional grid structure and relying solely on the shapes for positional clues.
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This project is a web-based recreation of Tom Dowdy's "Kaos", a screensaver from 1991. It features the same swirling, colorful lines and pulsating geometric shapes that made the original popular. Built with JavaScript and rendered on a canvas element, this modern homage aims to preserve and share the mesmerizing visual experience of Kaos with a new generation while offering a glimpse back in time for those familiar with the original.
HN commenters largely expressed nostalgia for the original Kaos screensaver and praised the recreation's faithfulness to it. Some shared memories of using it in the 90s, while others discussed technical aspects like the original's algorithm and the challenges of recreating it using web technologies. A few pointed out minor differences between the homage and the original, like the color palette and the behavior of the "fly" element. Several commenters appreciated the simplicity and hypnotic nature of the screensaver, contrasting it with modern, more resource-intensive alternatives. There was also some discussion about the legal implications of recreating copyrighted software, and whether screen savers are still relevant today.
SudokuVariants.com lets you play and create a wide variety of Sudoku puzzles beyond the classic 9x9 grid. The website offers different grid sizes, shapes, and rule sets, including variations like Killer Sudoku, Irregular Sudoku, and even custom rule combinations. Users can experiment with existing variants or design their own unique Sudoku challenges using a visual editor, and then share their creations with others via a generated link. The site aims to provide a comprehensive platform for both playing and exploring the vast possibilities within the Sudoku puzzle format.
Hacker News users generally expressed interest in the SudokuVariants website. Several praised its clean design and the variety of puzzles offered. Some found the "construct your own variant" feature particularly appealing, and one user suggested adding a difficulty rating system for user-created puzzles. A few commenters mentioned specific variant recommendations, including "Killer Sudoku" and a variant with prime number constraints. There was also a brief discussion about the underlying logic and algorithms involved in generating and solving these puzzles. One user pointed out that some extreme variants might be NP-complete, implying significant computational challenges for larger grids or complex rules.
Summary of Comments ( 22 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43591050
HN users discuss the impressive technical breakdown of Daft Punk's "Something About Us," praising the author's detailed analysis of the song's layered composition and vocal processing. Several commenters express appreciation for learning about the nuanced use of vocoders, EQ, and compression, and the insights into Daft Punk's production techniques. Some highlight the value of understanding how iconic sounds are created, inspiring experimentation and deeper appreciation for the artistry involved. A few mention other similar analytical breakdowns of music they enjoy, and some express a renewed desire to listen to the original track after reading the article.
The Hacker News post "Recreating Daft Punk's Something About Us" sparked a modest discussion with a few interesting comments focusing on the technical aspects of music production and Daft Punk's signature style.
One commenter delves into the specifics of the vocoder effect used by Daft Punk, explaining that it involves analyzing the formant frequencies of the singer's voice and imprinting them onto a synthesizer sound. They also mention the challenge of achieving the robotic yet soulful quality of Daft Punk's vocoder, suggesting that subtle variations and imperfections in the effect contribute to its emotional impact. This comment provides valuable insight for those interested in understanding the technical nuances of Daft Punk's sound.
Another comment praises the original article author for their deep dive into recreating the song, highlighting the complexity of the process. They express admiration for the dedication required to analyze and replicate each element of the track, emphasizing the layered nature of Daft Punk's music. This comment reinforces the technical skill involved in producing music like Daft Punk.
Another commenter briefly mentions the Talkbox, a different vocal effect often confused with the vocoder. This adds a small but relevant detail to the discussion about the vocal processing used in "Something About Us".
While not extensive, the comments on the Hacker News post offer valuable perspectives on the technical aspects of Daft Punk's music and the effort involved in recreating it. They showcase an appreciation for the artistry and technical prowess of the duo, while providing a glimpse into the tools and techniques employed in crafting their iconic sound. There's no deep philosophical debate or wide-ranging conversation, but rather a focused appreciation from technically-minded listeners.