compression study 1
performed by Sidney Hopson | video and audio by Tyler Eschendal | vibraphone samples by Dan Reifsteck
The compression studies series uses YouTube’s algorithms and interface for both composition and performance, approaching the YouTube platform as another performer in the ensemble, and exposing YouTube’s sonic materiality. After the musicians are recorded, those recordings are uploaded to YouTube, and YouTube’s built-in time-stretching and compression algorithms are used to find new sounds to re-compose with. The compression algorithms used by YouTube are designed primarily for spoken voice, presumably due to the large volume of tutorials and video blogs on the platform, and so they react in unexpected ways when used with harmonic, musical sounds as source material. By subverting their intended use, the project questions how these platforms shape our musical experiences, consumption, and interactions.
The concept for this piece was created for a collaboration with Maya Livio on her film Thermopower.
The compression studies series uses YouTube’s algorithms and interface for both composition and performance, approaching the YouTube platform as another performer in the ensemble, and exposing YouTube’s sonic materiality. After the musicians are recorded, those recordings are uploaded to YouTube, and YouTube’s built-in time-stretching and compression algorithms are used to find new sounds to re-compose with. The compression algorithms used by YouTube are designed primarily for spoken voice, presumably due to the large volume of tutorials and video blogs on the platform, and so they react in unexpected ways when used with harmonic, musical sounds as source material. By subverting their intended use, the project questions how these platforms shape our musical experiences, consumption, and interactions.
The concept for this piece was created for a collaboration with Maya Livio on her film Thermopower.
Performances:
3.6.20 — Dan Reifsteck, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Boston, MA.
6.20.20 — Dan Reifsteck, New Music Gathering, online due to COVID-19 (originally Portland, OR)
3.6.20 — Dan Reifsteck, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Boston, MA.
6.20.20 — Dan Reifsteck, New Music Gathering, online due to COVID-19 (originally Portland, OR)
