Voice

2016, Katharina Hauke

The evolution of voice started way before of the evolution of speech (which is quite a recent development in the process of evolution). Hence it allies us with our surroundings on a more basic, fundamental level. A connection through vibrations – via material that connects us (air, water, skin, to name a few) and that can be considered as you, as me, as not a part of either of us, as both of us, as a moving a margin…

On hacking instruments

2015, Victor Zappi, Andrew McPherson

Many digital musical instruments (DMIs) are created every year, but very few of them have a long life and a wide diffusion. Even within the relatively small DMI performer community, it is common to see a beautifully crafted design being put aside when a new technology is made available. By contrast, familiar acoustic and electric instruments have acquired their current identity through generations of design revisions and performance practice. Why is it so common that even the best DMIs disappear after a few performances, or at best, are used in the longer term by only a handful of musicians?

What if your instrument is invisible?

2014, Dafna Naphtali

As an electronic musician, I am largely occupied with capturing and manipulation of sound in real time — the sound of instruments being played by other musicians. I am also a vocalist, and often my instrument(s) are perceived as being “invisible”.

“Real-time live sound processing“, “audio machinations”, “{kaleid-o-phone}” – are all terms I’ve used to describe what I do, since I first started in the mid-90’s, dragging a 
Mac-plus computer and MIDI controllable effects units to clubs and venues, lots of equipment so that I could experiment, and find a way to play sound manipulations in a musically reactive way, especially in improvised contexts.

Hybrid Interactive Instruments — thoughts on the Endangered Guitar

2014, Hans Tammen

I play guitar since 1972. I usually improvise and noticed early on that my improvisations were best when something unexpected and surprising happened, something that kept me on the edge of my seat. Such as strings breaking or sound-making gadgets falling off the guitar. However, these surprises were not under my control.

Confidence

2014, Till Bovermann

First, there is an idea of a sound, rooted within myself.