notesdontmatter

Elder Conservatorium Music Tech Weekly 11/05/2006

Elder Conservatorium, Music Tech Weekly, 11/05/2006:


Workshop:




1. Christian Marclay: Strauss remix, Hendrix remix, Cage remix and Maria Callas remix:

An action packed episode this week so I’ll get straight to the point. Turntable extraordinaire Christian Marclay graced the stereo with four pieces today.

The 1st was a variation on a Johann Strauss piece that I’ve always known as the ‘Whale Song’. Typical turntable manipulation techniques brought about wonderfully discordant fluctuations in timing. It sounds as if he used time stretching as a tool to help find his feet if he ever felt lost during improvisation.

Audio Example



Next was a jumble of Hendrix guitar torturing samples that would perhaps have made Jimmy proud depending on his state of mind. The focus was on dive bombing tremolo techniques, wailing string bends and anything else that didn’t resemble conventional guitar playing. The overall result is reminiscent of Jimmy’s work on ‘Third Stone From the Sun’.

"The world looks better upsidedown"........

Audio Example


A John Cage remix created from various Cage samples sliced out of their original vinyl and glued back in a different sequence followed. The end product could have been a ‘Doof Doof’ track using audio clicks instead of drum samples. It had very consistent 4/4 timing.

Audio Example.


Opera singer Maria Callas was next on the hit list. Blending of multiple long vocal notes made for some fantastic beating frequencies and cross fading harmonic effects. A little heavy on the ears though.


Audio Example





2. Pink Floyd: Shine on You Crazy Diamond Pt 1 & 2:

A simple arrangement complemented by the innovative guitar style and sound of David Gilmour. Clever use of delay, slide guitar and multi tracking seem to be key elements to the overall spaciousness and dreamy nature of these tracks. The only criticism I can muster is that the saxophone seems to be warming up for a good old shred when part 2 is fading out which leaves me wanting a little….

"Look ma, both hands"!

Audio Example


Artist Talk: Seb Tomczak:

Seb returned this week to speak about his honours project. It involves the creation of a new and user friendly interface for the novice who wants to get started in sound recording and manipulation (also known as music composition).
Seb is starting from an economic standpoint to make his product available to disadvantaged countries, who don’t necessarily have access to expensive hardware interface technology. The underlying premise of this is that the final product will be something the user can build themselves from readily available parts, significantly reducing the cost. It seems the format of a game controller may be a possible physical representation of the final product.


Artist Talk, Darren Curtis:

Darren is also an honours student at Elder Conservatorium. His project for the year focuses on healing with sound via biological and neurological perspectives.
He is researching areas such as:

- Key frequencies having a direct impact on healing
- Bringing desired changes in ones psyche via sound healing
- Use of Ultrasound, Vibro-acoustics and Bio computer waves

This is a project that may potentially yield exciting and revolutionary results. Darren even spoke of the possibility of cancer treatment via sound healing techniques.
The initial focus is on the manipulation of binaural beat frequencies using software such as Max/MSP and Supercollider.


Audio Arts:

Miking up the electric guitar? There’s a concept. I’ve been direct recording for at least five years now and had to relearn some of the cabinet miking techniques I’d forgotten. Below is an audio example of Tuesday afternoons collaborative effort between myself and Luke Digance. I was playing the house electric guitar which is still un-tuneable so I offer my apologies for all the bad notes…..

Luke D vs David D


Creative Computing:

Another instalment of Pro-Tools essentials was the focus this week. I’ve been using the group track function for a long time but never knew about the 'Shift Apple Click !' function for quick group selection. Apple Click and Drag on faders for finite control is another useful one. Check the new NIN remix with updated samples, it rocks…………..

NIN Remix


References:

Christian Haines. "Creative Computing – Pro-Tools." Lecture presented at the Audio Lab, 4th floor, Schulz Building, University of Adelaide, 11th May 2006.

Seb Tomczak. "Honors Student Presentation." Lecture presented at the Electronic Music Unit, EMU space, University of Adelaide, 11th May 2006.

Darren Curtis. "Honors Student Presentation." Lecture presented at the Electronic Music Unit, EMU space, University of Adelaide, 11th May 2006.

David Harris. "Music Technology Workshop – Christian Marclay and Pink Floyd." Lecture presented at the Electronic Music Unit, EMU space, University of Adelaide, 11th May 2006.

Christian Haines. "Audio Arts – Electric Guitar Miking Techniques." Practical Class presented at Studio 2, EMU space, 5th floor, Schulz Building, University of Adelaide, 09th May 2006.

posted by David J Dowling @ 2:59 PM