This week we brought our own compostions in so that we could have a chance to diffuse them in the hall. We were required to study techniques in the compostion of sonic art, and to take note of the purpose of the pieces we have been studying. Unfortunately there wasn’t enough time in class for everyones piece to be played, and I didn’t get to perform.

Here is a section from my piece that I had ready. (and yes Julio, I have every intention of granualting the hang drum)

acousmix1

This week we diffused existing pieces in groups using the 8 speaker set up.

Our group chose to perform ‘Vox 5″ by Trevor Wishart. THis piece is part of the Vox series, which consists of 6 pieces. This particular piece uses vocal recordings of african ululation, which is a vocal technique common in tribal chanting. The piece contains several tranformations, where we see the vocal sounds morph into other sounds like the buzzing of bees.

This piece was written with diffusion in mind, and Wishart would perform it on a speaker set up similar to the one we have been using in the recital hall. The soundscape he created was made with diffusion in mind, making it a perfect piece to attempt to diffuse in class.

The transformations were highlighted successfully with diffusion. Our techniques still need alot of work, but I feel that we are getting alot better at making the sound travel around the room.

By next week I hope to have a short piece perpared for diffusion using the 7.1 surround settings in Logic. I will probably use existing samples and synths to complete my piece

The Hang drum is an ultra-rare percussion instrument made by two people from Bern (Switzerland). They are extremeley expensive and they take a very long time to be made. Fortunatley I have put myself through hell to get one and it is worth every penny.

The Hang Drum makes the most beautiful sound I have heard from a hand-held instrument.

Please watch:

Well Hang

Hang drum solo

This is just a post to say that if anyone wants to record the drum, or use it in any other way for their course, then please don’t hesitate to email me:

thenerveagent@gmail.com

watch?v=3T0WVNTlZxU

Summary of first weeks:

This module has opened up the possibilities of performance during playback of Sonic art. By using 8 speakers linked to a central mixer a performer is able to bring sonic art to life by using diffusion to spread the sound around the room. The nature of the sonic art we have been studying (Trevor Wishart, Jonty Harrison etc.) is to explore sound and all of it’s qualities. By using diffusion to transfer the sound source as a piece is being played allows the piece to enter a different dimension.

The first few weeks have been focused on getting familiar with setting up, using the mixer and diffusion techniques. We have learned several techniques to move the sound around the room, and to recognise when movement should occur. It has been a great help learning what is possible to achieve in the recital hall with diffusion. This will greatly influence my own composition and the sounds that I create.

acousmatic-sound

Above is a sound I created to be played in class.

I shall be looking at several composers to select a piece for next weeks class (with diffusion in mind).