squares (2008) real-time composition & video processing || vjmanzo.com/cv

Squares is an electro-acoustic work composed by V.J. Manzo. It was originally performed with an interactive music and live image processing system also created by Manzo. The system uses the Korg padKontrols 16 touch-sensitive pads to begin generating algorithmic composition processes when illuminated. The velocity of each pad sets the initial velocity of the process.
The system takes live video input from two sources. In the original performance, two cameras were used: one on the performers hands, and one on his face. The number of pads currently held down relates to the number of rows and columns used to display the matrix input from the first camera. Each of these squares contains a scaled-down image of the overall matrix. The each square is tinted to resemble the second input matrix, the second camera. Each pad is also assigned a color that, when pressed, causes the matrix color to change.
The performance begins (fades in) with the touch of a single pad. If no pads are being touched, the video fades to black (this is subsequently how the performance ends).
The performer specifies an initial mode. The first knob at the top of the padKontrol controls the chord root and quality which drives the algorithmic composition processes. The second knob controls the change to another mode related to the initial mode sharing six of its seven pith classes.
The padKontrols XY pad is used to play a monophonic melody in which the X value controls pitch classes of the specified mode, across a 2 octave range. The Y value controls velocity; a position held closer to the top will yield a higher velocity value. When there is no position held on the XY pad, the velocity will equal zero. This, therefore, yields a note-off state when the XY pad is not in use.
A sustain mode can be enabled by pressing the HOLD button on the controller. This will cause notes played on the XY pad to sustain until another XY coordinate replaces it. The velocity (Y) will only change when a new note is triggered.
This video was generated directly from the software system and was not edited in any way.

by V.J. Manzo
http://www.vjmanzo.com/cv

Category:

Music

Tags:

• V.J. Manzo
• interactive music
• Max/MSP
• algorithmic composition
• music education
• music technology
• vjmanzo.com
• EAMIR
• eamir.org
• modal object library