CCRMA Transitions Concert - September 29, 2011

Last week, class started at Stanford.  CCRMA's fall concert spanned two nights this year - Wednesday, Sept. 28 featured unbelievable acousmatic soundscapes played back over the 16.4 channel sound system, and Thursday, Sept 29 featured multichannel live performances and DJ sets.  I performed two pieces on the second evening - the first piece was an 8 channel noise piece using an old Akai reel to reel player, some distortion, and a piece of audio software that I wrote last year to sample and loop material in real (or perhaps i should say "reel") time...  I also performed a set of my more rhythmic electronic music to close out the evening.  Here are some pictures from the second night!

The speaker system consisted of 16 large speakers like this one and four enormous subwoofers (roughly 3'x3'x3' in size). One ring of 8 speakers was positioned roughly at standing height around the courtyard.  The second ring was essentially one story higher, with many of the speakers being moounted on the balcony of CCRMA.  In the open part of the courtyard, these speakers were mounted on very tall stands.  Because the back of the building is open, the sound was incredible (crystal clear because there are very few reflections before the sound escapes).

Part of the bottom ring of 8.  a subwoofer is visible near the bottom right corner.  also note the center channel on the balcony in the middle.

A few balcony speakers.

A view of the foothills with the center channel and a stage light.  CCRMA has such a unique spot. 

Second set of balcony speakers

A view of the courtyard.  The tent in the back housed the main mixer.

My setup for "Volumes of Voices," the first piece I performed.

My computer waiting patiently for instructions.

Performing Volumes of Voices.  Photo by Kevin Cathey

My classmates Mike Rotondo and Nick Kruge performed a piece called Feedbork, which made music using video feedback between two iPads.  

Making the video feedback.

Another classmate, Luke Dahl, performing some of his original music.

Another classmate, Locky, performing a dj set.  Photos by Kevin Cathey

Performing my "Cloud Veins" material.

No email checking here...  Photo by Kevin Cathey

Performing with CCRMA in the background.  Photo by Kevin Cathey.