Category Archives: Research

On Off Fade – Etudes for Electronic Music Ensemble No. 2

Compositions, Research, , ,

Link to Score

An electronic instrument can express a gradual or sudden change of timbre by twisting a knob or a slider. On Off Fade for an electronic ensemble is written to practice deliberately timed change in dynamics, density, and spectrum. The ensemble may consist of a percussion and three or more electronic devices. Specific models of electronic devices or previous experiences in an electronic ensemble are not required to perform this piece.


Instrumentation

Three or more electronic Instruments:

  • A machine that produces noise-like sound is preferred.
  • The performer should be able to control at least the volume and another parameter of the sound continuously. More the controllable parameters, better the instrument.
  • Examples of such devices include a radio, drum machine, no-input mixer, turntable, modular synthesizer, electronic metronome, circuit-bent toys,  and analog television.

One drumset OR drum machine:

  • A drumset consisting of a bass drum and a snare is ideal. Alternatively, one may use a drum machine that can trigger bass drum, snare, and rimshot sounds.
  • A drum machine should also be able to start and stop a preset rhythm.

Performance and Score Instruction
For an ideal balance of sound, adjust the volume of the instruments so that they do not overpower the drumset or the drum machine.
Notation for Electronics:

  • Regular notes and rests: start and stop the sound by increasing and decreasing the volume control. All notes should have a short attack and release time unless notated with crescendo or decrescendo. Respect the duration of the rests.
  • Notes with the + sign: change a parameter. For example, a synthesizer player can turn a filter knob. If there is more than one parameter control, feel free to change multiple parameters.
  • Crescendo and decrescendo: For regular notes, gradually change the volume control (a dynamic marking of n being no sound to ff being the loudest sound possible). For the + notes,  change a parameter.

Notation for Drumset or Drum machine:

  • At the absence of a conductor, the drummer cues the next section.
  • If a snare roll is not possible, trigger a preset rhythm in place of a snare roll.

Beat Matching – Etudes for Electronic Ensemble No. 1

Collaborators, Compositions, Research, ,

Performed by EMEWS (Electronic Music Ensemble of Wayne State) on 10/11/2018

The purpose of this piece is to exercise with flexible control of the tempo and note duration in electronic instruments. By subtly changing the rate of repetition (i.e., frequency) the ensemble can phase in and out of a perceivable rhythmic pattern. This piece is also an opportunity for the students to read and interpret a graphical score as well as thinking musical ideas in numbers.

App created with Faust (http://faust.grame.fr)

Score and app available at:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rlozrjsukhlr9bp/AAAmWb_CZZdskkUh7qUaWSi-a?dl=0

* Beat Matching is the first piece of Etudes for Electronic Ensemble. The etudes consist of easy-to-rehearse electronic ensemble pieces for beginner electronic musicians or ensembles. Each work of the etudes focuses on musical ideas that expressed most efficiently with electronic instruments.

Published Writings : Fall 2018

Research,

I have published two articles this Fall. One is titled A Listening Guide to Unrecordable Electronic Music.

https://highwirelab.org/post/a-listening-guide-to-unrecordable-electronic-music

Here’s an introduction to the article by Highwire Lab, the organization sponsoring the event related to the article.

Concerts involving technology often impress the audience with cutting-edge gear and new sounds, but what is there beyond the novelty? This article will delve into how to spot and appreciate the artistic decisions and craftsmanship in composing and performing music written for the electronic ensemble that uses computers, game controllers, boxes with buttons as main instruments and more.

—–

In the last September, I presented a paper titled Analysis of DualShock 4 Controller as a Musical Instrument at KEAMSAC 2018, Seoul, Korea. Below is the abstract of the paper

Sony’s DualShock 4 can be used as an affordable and readily-available musical instrument that may not require an additional software to establish a connection with the computer. Despite the effortless connectivity via Bluetooth or USB, DualShock 4’s number of functioning inputs varies depending on the applications and the communication method.  The author analyzed and documented DualShock 4’s mapping scheme for Max and SuperCollider in this article so that it may be served as a reference for composition and performance projects. While buttons and joysticks behave much like MIDI controllers, some distinct features of DualShock 4, such as the trackpad, built-in timer, and SIXAXIS, have unusual mapping schemes and ranges.

One of the main topics discussed in the article is Elements-to-Music Application mapping schemes of DualShock4. This can be found in the link below:

—-

One more article is scheduled to be published by the Journal of Michigan Music Education in early 2019. Stay tuned!

MMEA Presentation: Majoring in Music Technology

Announcement, Research, Teaching

This page contains a PDF version of the slides I am using for the Michigan Music Education Association’s Summer Technology Workshop 2018 (event link).

MajoringTech.pdf

Majoring in Music Technology: An Introduction to Undergraduate Music Technology Programs in Michigan

The presenter will discuss the similarities and differences between various music undergraduate technology majors offered by the 4-year universities and community colleges in Michigan. The session will also provide tips on the application procedure and portfolio preparation.

PS Quartet No.1 – for game controllers and computers

Compositions, Research, ,

PS Quartet No.1 is a piece for Sony DualShock 4 Controllers and computer. All sound and graphics were created with SuperCollider. This piece is written for small to large laptop ensembles.

The piece was premiered and recorded by EMEWS (Electronic Music Ensemble of Wayne State). In the recording above, the piece was performed by the following members (from left to right)

  • Sean Monaghan
  • Laura Apolloni
  • James VanRysseghem
  • Joey McLennan
  • Charles Moore

This piece can be performed by anyone with a PlayStation controller and a computer. Instructions, scores, and necessary codes are available at the following link:

https://app.box.com/s/xnivx2nxyisjzsiydeb8t9zgkrhtvph1

I am particularly happy with the score of the piece!

demopage

Instructions for Hardware and Software Setup 

Hardware

  • 4 X Playstation 4 Dualshock Game Controller
  • 4 X Computers running SuperCollider ( http://supercollider.github.io/download )
  • 4 X Audio Cables to connect the computer’s audio output to the speakers
  • 4 X Speakers (or to the house mixer if)
  • Each part can be performed by multiple performers if more hardware is available

Syncing PS4 controller to the computer via Bluetooth (preferred method)

  1. Turn the computer’s Bluetooth on. Open Bluetooth preference
  2. Hold PS+Share Buttons in the Dualshock Game Controller for few seconds until the light starts to blink
  3. The controller will appear as Wireless Controller in the Bluetooth Preference. 
  4. Click Pair
  5. For PC, use DS4Windows (http://ds4windows.com/) to connect DualShock
  6. Demo video available at https://youtu.be/HtVqxt4RMns 

Connecting PS4 controller to the computer via USB 

  1. Turn off the computer’s Bluetooth to avoid a possible confusion
  2. The controller should be automatically paired with the computer whenever it is on

Software Setup

  1. Download the SuperCollider codes from joowonpark.net/psquartet1 
  2. Turn on the controller before opening SuperCollider
  3. Open SuperCollider
  4. Each performer opens one of the files from PSQ1-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, or Bass according to his/her part and the connection (there are different files for USB and Bluetooth)
  5. Go to Menu->Language->Evaluate File. The screen will become black and the patch is ready to start.
  6. To quit or stop, press command+. (period) or an equivalent shortcut of Stop in Menu->Language