Dr. Evans answers frequent questions here. Use the Contact form to ask them..
Is PRISM a commercial product?
No. PRISM is both a research project and a set of functional tools used internally by Bill Evans Media for engineering commercial audio projects. The two elements inform each other, reciprocally. The plugins have a polished look because PRISM's user experience (e.g. Contextual Interfaces), and its integration to into DAWs, are part of my research.
Are there plans for it to be?
Short answer, no. Long answer, maybe with a but. Bill believes that all the elements of PRISM are inevitable. Elements of PRISM have begun to appear in the market place, and he expects this transition only to accelerate.
What does the Development Timeline actually measure?
Appearance on the Timeline generally indicates a threshold of generalisability—not when technologies were first created and commercially deployed. Like most research, many of elements of PRISM were initially developed within controlled domains, expanding as work progressed.
What data sets did you use?
All data sets are proprietary, created specifically for PRISM. No copyrighted material was used.
Can anyone try PRISM?
Yes. I periodically do Zoom screen-shares where participants are free to use the PRISM plugins within a DAW. This does not expose every part of the user experience, but it does provide the most interesting one. In a few instances, I have sent out the plugins, but that is rare.
Is PRISM only for drums?
PRISM is for any instrument or vocals. Most commercial PRISM work has been performed on electric guitars. It has also been used commercially on acoustic guitar, electric and upright bass, piano, Hammond B3 organ, digital and analogue synthesisers, violin, viola, cello, double-bass, oboe, clarinet, flute, more than 20 different percussion instruments, and drums.
The plugins are currently only for drums and percussion—it's where they make the most sense for my work.
