Since November of 2018 I have been working on developing a collection of experimental patches for the Sequential Prophet Rev2. This was a ton of work, partially because I developed a custom Max for Live device specifically to explore more experimental soundscapes but well worth it. I am quite happy with the results and have made the patches available for purchase here on AudioCookbook.org. Checkout all 128 patches in this playlist or have a listen to a few of my favorites below.
On December 27, 2017 Sound / Simulacra featured DeVon Russell Gray and Patrick Pegg. DeVon and Patrick started of the evening with an uninterrupted 38:10 minute set of acoustic piano and esoteric electronics. In the second set Cody McKinney (bass and electronics) and I (Rhodes and Moog Sub 37) joined the duo to perform a 34:09 minute piece followed by final 8:47 minute piece in closing.
This incomplete playlist will eventually feature all 128 presets from the AudioCookbook.org Experimental Patch set for the Prophet Rev2. This collection includes experimental, glitch, special effects, and a few conventional patches. All the patches are entirely original creations built from the ground up or through custom morphing software developed in Max for Live for the Rev2. I’ll post more tracks to the playlist soon. Let me know if you have questions or if you’re interested in the set. Thanks!
Although I haven’t mentioned it here, I have had a 16 voice Sequential Prophet Rev2 since November 23, 2018. In the last two months I have programmed a full bank of 128 patches for the instrument. This isn’t something I would normally do for any instrument. For most instruments I program a handful of patches that I need, or simply create or modify the patches as I work in the studio.
So why spend two months creating 128 patches? One reason why is because the scope of timbral possibilities is vast. One can create glistening, glassy, and bright tones or contrasting warm and dark sounds just as easily as one another. Secondly the process of creating patches is fun with minimal menu diving. Thirdly, if the patches are received well I’ll offer them for sale as a downloadable set.
Lastly, I have designed a Max for Live device (see image above) that morphs, interpolates, and/or randomized specified parameters on the synth. This software, titled Rev2 Patch Degrader, is similar to the what I created for the PreenFM2 and for the Yamaha TX81Z. It has allowed me to discover and tweak dozens of experimental soundscapes with many more to come. Developing the software took over a month, but I was able to get some excellent features packed into it. For example, there are four ways to initialize new patches: init 0s, init pad, init perc, and init random. The degrading process will then change parameters over time (clocked or in milliseconds) to new values.
In the next few weeks I’ll share some more examples of patches I have made on the Rev2. In the meantime, please let me know if you’re interested in what I’m tentatively calling the AudioCookbook Experimental Sound Set. Also, let me know if you’re interested in the Rev2 Patch Degrader for Max for Live. Thanks!
Cody McKinney (bass) and Peter Hennig rehearsing Parking Ramp Project
Parking Ramp Project was selected by the Star Tribune as the Twin Cities’ top dance scene in 2018:
“1. Parking Ramp Project: Aniccha Arts founder Pramila Vasudevan showcased her eye for space and ritual with this bewitching site-specific performance, full of eerie neon ropes, haunting vocals and post-apocalyptic pillows, in a Bloomington parking garage.”
The music that I composed for the event highlighted the movement of the cast through the seven story parking ramp with an animated, generative, graphic score written in Javascript. Read more about the project below:
Video Documentation of Parking Ramp Project
Animated, Generative, Graphic Scores for Parking Ramp Project
Star Tribune: 10 great Twin Cities dance events for fall 2018
City Pages: Parking Ramp Project