At "CEDEC+KYUSHU 2024," the largest IT conference in Kyushu, AZSTOKE co.,ltd. (hereinafter referred to as AZSTOKE) announced parts of its two major projects, "RIGDOCKS" and "SKYSQUARE."
"RIGDOCKS" is an API for sound creators uniquely developed by AZSTOKE, for which they have obtained four patents.
"SKYSQUARE" is a large-scale recording project planned by AZSTOKE.
This time, Saiga NAK attended and reported on AZSTOKE's corporate lecture at "CEDEC+KYUSHU 2024."
What is "RIGDOCKS"? The Story Behind Its Creation
There are many difficulties to becoming a sound creator!
The number of audio files handled by sound creators is on an upward trend each year, and it seems that they are often dealing with hundreds of thousands of audio files.
Even if you try to become one...
- You don't know what to download
- There's a possibility of getting a virus if you try to download overseas software
- You don't know who to ask
- The hurdles to becoming an ideal sound creator are too high
These and other factors lead to an overwhelming lack of information, putting aspiring creators in a bind, especially since there are few people close to them in the field.
To change such an environment, AZSTOKE developed "RIGDOCKS," for which they obtained four patents!
Easy for beginners! Streamlined with AI technology!
"RIGDOCKS" is divided into three plans, supporting creators ranging from beginners to advanced users.
It's packed with features that sound creators will love, such as automatically leveling the volume of disparate files and correcting audio discrepancies caused by differences in speakers!
Additionally, if you download "RIGDOCKS-BRIDGE," up to five people, including the purchaser, can be granted and use the license.
Comparison of the 3 Types of "RIGDOCKS"
"RIGDOCKS" is sold in three types: Bronze, Silver, and Gold, allowing users from beginners to advanced to choose according to their skill level.
The comparison details are as follows...
Bronze Plan
An introductory API that allows data editing and adjustment.
- Version 2.2.0 added 174 Bronze APIs
- Various bug fixes
- Improved media array processing.
Silver Plan
An intermediate API capable of complex processing.
- Version 2.2.0 included various bug fixes
- Includes the patented technologies "HANDAUTOMER" and "TALKTRON"
Gold Plan
An advanced API with added APIs related to Wwise.
- Version 2.2.0 added 53 Gold APIs
- Includes the patented technologies "LOUDMATCHIFY" and "MIDDLESCANNER"
Please check the AZSTOKE official website for more details on "RIGDOCKS" and the patents!
Going This Far!? AZSTOKE Even Bought a Mountain for Sound!
Next, let's talk about "SKYSQUARE."
AZSTOKE launched a project called "SKYSQUARE" to "record audio in a vast land," and as part of this, they purchased a total of approximately 1.63 acres of land in Yamanashi!
I looked it up, and the royal palace of the Great Zimbabwe Ruins is about 1.63 acres. (Still hard to grasp)
Buying land the size of ruins would surprise even the people of Zimbabwe.
Heavy Equipment Licenses Required to Handle Large Materials
To record on such vast land, all sorts of licenses are required, and as of now, AZSTOKE has successfully acquired the following 8 licenses:
| List of Acquired Licenses | |
|---|---|
| Class 1 Large Vehicle License | License for trucks with a load capacity of 12 tons or more |
| Large Special Vehicle License | License for operating construction machinery (recommended by Nakashima) |
| Towing License | License required to transport larger heavy machinery that trucks cannot handle |
| Vehicle-mounted Construction Machine (Excavation, etc.) | License that enables excavation and grading, etc. Only bucket attachments are allowed. |
| Vehicle-mounted Construction Machine (New Demolition) | Allows changing excavator attachments from buckets to grappling machines |
| Small Mobile Crane | Allows operation of cranes under 5 tons. Enables recording of large materials that can only be recorded with mobile cranes. |
| Chainsaw (Felling, etc.) | Tree management; can also be used for recording |
| Slinging | License required to hook loads to cranes; knowledge of hooking methods is required depending on the type |
| Planned Licenses to Acquire | |
|---|---|
| Grapple | Planning to acquire a qualification that allows changing excavator attachments to grapples. Makes it easier to grasp materials that cannot be held with a pinching machine. |
Even After Acquiring Licenses, When Trying to Rent Heavy Equipment...
AZSTOKE wanted to achieve large-scale recording using heavy equipment weighing over 7 tons after acquiring all these licenses.
However, when they went to a heavy equipment rental company, they found that the company did not handle transport vehicles for heavy equipment over 7 tons...
So CEO Nakashima said:
After experiencing issues and challenges when renting, I thought purchasing would be the quickest solution, so I decided to buy an excavator.
(Translated from Japanese)
AZSTOKE Official Website
Purchase!? Isn't that too decisive for a CEO?
And so, the modern CEO acquired the YANMAR B7-5B heavy equipment (total weight 8155kg)...!
It's casually become 8 tons!!
AZSTOKE's New Challenge After Acquiring Heavy Equipment, Transport Vehicles, and Slinging Capabilities
We want large materials!
Ordinary lumber and metal sold at hardware stores, which most people imagine, won't produce good sound.
Their professional dedication is truly passionate.
They are currently collecting materials like wood and stone, and what they recently acquired is a "scrap car."
A scrap car!?
Apparently, scrap cars are hard to come by these days, and car dealerships are out of the question, so they purchased a scrap car from an acquaintance who is a mechanic.
Then, by taking it to the site and completing the deregistration process, they successfully acquired a scrap car, which they can freely use as a toy!
This is how "SKYSQUARE"'s large-scale recording project is being prepared.
It's truly astonishing that this is still just the preparation phase.
We have high hopes for infinite possibilities in sound recording as they continue to acquire more materials!
The content announced at "CEDEC+KYUSHU 2024" can be reviewed on the AZSTOKE official website, so please check it out!
【CEDEC+KYUSHU2024】タイムシフト配信開始！＆具体的に解説https://t.co/M2N0MjdCb1
２大プロジェクト[RIGDOCKS]と[SKYSQUARE]の一部をご説明をさせていただきました。詳しくご説明をしたかった要素も数多くあり、それをこのブログで追加で説明させていただければと考えております。… pic.twitter.com/OmpYtWBnIt
— AZSTOKE / ALGAZODIK (@A_Z_Stoke) November 27, 2024
