performance proposal for a live electro-acoustic work

 

"Eschroadepipel" 

 

This is a 15 minute solo piece for clarinet (and bass clarinet) in which the computer coordinates both the electronic accompaniment as well as the timbral extensions (signal processing) of the instrument,  whose audio signal is analyzed live,  thus allowing for very fine control over the electronics.  At times,  the sounds of the clarinet are both transformed by signal processors,  and mixed with very similar electronic counterparts which are controlled by the player as a function of his/her playing.  The attempt of this piece is to extend the range of the "solo piece",  while preserving the role of the soloist.  The computer executes/coordinates the following:

 

•reconfiguration of the signal paths (clarinet,  synthesis and signal processors)

•dynamic parameter control of the synthesis and signal processing modules (harmonizers, delays etc...)

•real time analysis of the soloist's performance (pitch and envelope following) for control over the electronic accompaniment and its synthesis parameters

•reassignment of the performer's control signals (pedals, pitch and amplitude envelope) to various software processes which control the above

•signal processing of the control signals  coming from the player

 

This piece is intended for live performance and runs on an Apple Macintosh computer in the MAX/MSP environment,  a music programming language originally developed at IRCAM by Miller Puckette  (and later by David Zicarelli).

 

Thanks to Krystina Reeder, for score editing/copying.

 

 

Durartion:  aproximately 15 min.

 

Equipment  needs for  Eshroadepipel

 

MIDI:

1 midi with  sustain pedal

computer:

1 Apple G4 or G5,  with 1 ghz processor minimum.  OS X 2.6 or later

Audio:

1 or more dynamic microphones with microphone mixer (one line level output)

1 stereo amplifier and 2 loudspeakers

<optional> 1 audio interface (firewire, usb etc..) for the computer

software:

Max/MSP (player or full install)

Download and install the software for the piece:

http://zeep.com/zack/pieces/eschroadepipel/eschroadepipel.dmg

Other:

personnel           1 technician, 1 musician

setup time:         60 minutes  (plus 30 min sound check)

strike time:         30 minutes

 

 

 

technical information

 

setup time:

1 hour with sound engineer

 

on stage:

1 player

1 music stand with 2 chairs

microphone(a) and stand(s)

1 sustain pedal

 

in the audience (for mixing):

•all the electronic gear listed (see attached)

•chair and table or surface 2.5' X 5' for gear

•the mixing space, partially light

 

note: 1 long mono 1/4" jack cable (female->male) to go between the player (stage) and the electronic gear (mixing area in audience) will be necessary. The cable extends the  sustain pedal cable (jack male), which connects to the midi controller in the mixing area.

 

other:

1 AC power strip

2 stereo audio cables (1/8” mini-jack male to 1/4” jack male)

Onstage monitoring for the performer.

 

rehearsal:

•2 three-hour rehearsals plus sound check, all in concert space if possible.

 

 

Note to the sound engineer,

 

For best results, use one or more close (12”)  microphones.  A contact microphone can be used in addition one or more open-air mics.

 

The microphone mix is to be sent to the computer’s Left and Right inputes;   if a contact mic is used, then send it to the L input, while the other(s) are sent to the R input. The output of the computer is sent to the loudspeakers (and on-stage monitors) in the performance space.