Audiovisual Collaboration: Chris LeBLanc & Shawna Lee, Part 1

This is the first in a series of live audiovisual collaborations with Chris LeBlanc and Shawna Lee. The performance was captured at at the Lakely in the Oxbow Hotel, Eau Claire, Wisconsin on September 30, 2023. Chris and Shawna produced live visuals using their integrated, modular video synthesis systems as I performed. This as yet untitled piece is driven by morphing drums and sequences on the Dirtywave M8 tracker. I also live looped a Rhodes pattern on the Numa X Piano GT. The formant-filtered-voice-like-lead was played on the Osmose Expressive E.

I’m thrilled with the analog visuals that Chris and Shawna produced. The image above shows Shawna’s (left) and Chris’ (right) video systems. Please take a look at their Instagram feeds to see more of their work:

Chris LeBlanc (@blindprophet)
Shawna Lee (@iamadot)

Osmose Expressive E and the Uncanny Valley

The internet has been buzzing with demos of the Osmose Expressive E since they started arriving to VIPs studios earlier this year. I have been fascinated by it since 3D renders of it showed up in November of 2019. Four years later, I finally have it and now that I’ve had a day or two to allow my brain to reassemble itself I’m ready to say something about it.

There are many directions that artists will steer this machine. One is by leveraging physical modeling to emulate acoustic instruments. Doing this requires developing the techniques and having the knowledge to work the Osmose into matching the range and textures of the target instrument. Secondly it requires expertly designed patches that can translate the subtleties of the player’s expression into the expected nuances. Benn Jordan has a great video here that goes into detail about how this can be done. I do not intend to address the debate regarding “should this be done?” in this article, other than to state that there is an ongoing debate (perhaps since music was electrically amplified) along with far reaching consequences to musicians and the music industry at large of which we all ought to be aware. Continue reading

Tonight at the Terminal in Minneapolis

Tonight I am performing a solo set of original electronic music featuring instruments including the Dirtywave M8, Prophet REV2, and Numa X Piano GT. The instrument are integrated through a complex web of apps and customization on iOS including AUM and Mozaic to name two. Check it out at the Terminal Bar, 409 E. Hennepin, Minneapolis, Minnesota. My set starts at 8pm ans is followed by the jazz improv trio SingleCell who just released a new album titled Regeneration.

ACB Live Volume 3 Stream Archive

Please enjoy this archive of the stream from ACB Live Volume 3 featuring Eric Carranza from April 18, 2023. Eric and I had a great time improvising together. I love Eric’s playing, his sense of sound design, and the way that he builds textures with electronics.

Performance with Suwal Singh on Tablas

This Friday, April 7, 2023 I will performing with Suwal Singh on tablas at the Rök Eatery in St. Paul, Minnesota from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Cover charge is $5. This will be our second time collaborating as a duet. The instrumental music includes tablas from Singh and me on keyboards and synths. My setup includes the Numa X GT stage piano, my Prophet REV2, and the Dirtywave M8. Here’s a short excerpt from our last performance.