Tag Archives: Modular Synthesis

Electroacoustic Piano Concert via Modular Synthesis

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The last time I performed a series of electroacoustic piano pieces was November of 2016 (click the link for an audio example). However, I am always imagining interesting ways that the piano, one of the most ancient of all synthesizers ;-), can be processed, resampled, or re-synthesized. To that end I was recently offered an opportunity to play at Berlin, Not the city in Germany but the music venue in Minneapolis, on April 15, 2024.

In my previous performance I had used a Korg KP3+ and a Minifooger delay to simply sample and process the piano. While that simplicity allowed me to focus more on composing, this time I wanted to take a more flexible and unique approach to the electronics. Modular allows for this so I pillaged some modules from my main system and purchased a Happy Nerding FX AID XL to make an electroacoustic skiff designed for sampling, resampling, filtering, and processing incoming acoustic piano signals. From right to left the system includes Bela.io Gliss, Make Noise Morphagene, ALM Pamela’s Pro Workout, Make Noise Maths, Shakmat Dual Dagger, Electrosmith patch.init(), Happy Nerding FX AID XL, and Intellijel Outs. Continue reading →

Audiovisual Collaboration: The Dark at the End of the Tunnel

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This is the last 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 (https://www.theoxbowhotel.com/lakely/) on September 30, 2023.

Chris LeBlanc and Shawna Lee produced live visuals using their integrated, modular video synthesis systems as I performed. This piece titled, Dark at the End of the Tunnel, is an electro-acoustic piano composition. In this adaptation I used a a stage piano, but the processing and accompaniment are as they would be if the piece were performed on an acoustic instrument.

Please take a look at Chris’ (@blindprophet) and Shawna’s (@iamadot) Instagram feeds to see more of their work.

Audiovisual Collaboration: Chris LeBLanc & Shawna Lee, Part 2

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This is the second 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 (https://www.theoxbowhotel.com/lakely/) 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 improvised parts on the Osmose Expressive E and the Numa X Piano GT.

This is the second 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 improvised parts on the Numa X Piano GT and the Osmose Expressive E.

Please take a look at Chris’ (@blindprophet) and Shawna’s (@iamadot) Instagram feeds to see more of their work.

Low-Gain Live​ at Honey, Minneapolis

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Although I have weeks worth of back-logged synthesizer sounds of my own I am honored to defer today’s entry into One Synthesizer Sound Every Day to Logan Erickson, otherwise known as Low-Gain. At my request Logan played the closing party for the Eyeo Festival along with Eskimo Spy and Ostracon, so I can claim partial responsibility for his work that evening. But all the credit for these searing, synthetic soundscapes goes to master-modular-meistro Low-Gain himself. Isaac Halvorson was on hand to record the night, and Logan has shared his set for us all to enjoy repeatedly. Click here to download, or listen below.