Handcrafted Ale

for beer and computer

Composed: 2014
Duration: 6 - 10'

Update (November 2014): The performance materials below have been updated. If you downloaded an earlier version of the work, you should replace it with this updated version. The stereo version of the work can now be controlled using an iPad running TouchOSC. The 4-/8-channel version of the work is new. It uses TouchOSC to obtain the XY accelerometer data from an iPhone, and uses that data to control panning/spatial dispersion of the work. Note that it is not currently possible to use the iPad/TouchOSC control setup to control the 4-/8-channel version of the work.

Program Notes

After my family, my three great loves in the world are music technology, experimental music, and high-quality beer. As a home brewer, I delight in crafting unique, delicious beers. As a composer, audio engineer, and performer, I love exploring the intersections between music and technology. This work extends the sound world that exists around the enjoyment of a great beer through live granular and spectral audio processing in Max.

Technical Requirements

Intel-based Mac running OS 10.6 or later (impossible to perform the work on Windows or Linux at present, sorry). Max 6.1.6 or later (or the free Max Runtime environment). Two contact microphones and one lavaliere microphone (or other). The free SoundMagic Spectral plug-ins by Michael Norris. A suitable audio interface. One bottle or can of high-quality beer. One beer glass.

Max and Max Runtime are available here from Cycling 74.

The Michael Norris plug-ins are available for free from his website. Click here.

If you will use an iPad to control the stereo version of the work, or if you want to perform the quad/octophonic version of the work, you will need the TouchOSC app, which is available on the App Store, or via the TouchOSC website.

Performance Materials and Video

Stereo version: Click here to download a .ZIP archive with the performance software and a PDF document of instructions.

Quad/Octophonic version: Click here to download a .ZIP archive with the performance software and a PDF document of instructions.

If you have any questions, please contact me.

 

Phantasm: Music for Saxophone and Computer

In 2009, I toured extensively across Europe and the United States with a program of eleven works for saxophone and computer.

Cover art from
Phantasm: Music for Saxophone and Computer.

I am happy to announce that the album Phantasm: Music for Saxophone and Computer, containing all eleven works from that tour, has been released by Ravello Records and is now available on iTunes, Amazon, and other digital distributors. Get your copy today!