Sum Input

Conceived in 2022, this is an improvisatory piece based on “no-input mixing” techniques, where a mixing board is connected to itself and sound results from electrical loops in the internal circuitry of the board. In this particular setup two mixers are cross-connected in various ways in addition to external sound generated by Arduino microcontrollers. The result is a multi-dimensional network in which any slight move from a performer affects dozens of parameters on both boards, and the sound coming out of the speakers can change rapidly at any moment.

While the piece uses no-input techniques, in reality it takes many inputs to make this piece happen: computer code that I prepared beforehand, the aleatoric musical score, sound from the battery-powered Arduinos, the unique performance sensibilities of Davan and Yi-Ning, the circuit designs made by the manufacturers of the mixing consoles, and the electricity being pumped into the hall from the nearest RG&E power plant. In designing the piece, I aimed to create a space where all of these inputs have a role in a given performance. Feel free to come up to the stage after the concert to learn more about the components involved.