Boon, H. 2021. Improvising Songwriting and Composition Within A Hybrid Modular Synthesis System. in: Hepworth-Sawyer, R., Paterson, J. and Toulson, R. (ed.) Innovation in Music Future Opportunities London Focal Press. pp. 162-173
| Chapter title | Improvising Songwriting and Composition Within A Hybrid Modular Synthesis System |
|---|---|
| Authors | Boon, H. |
| Editors | Hepworth-Sawyer, R., Paterson, J. and Toulson, R. |
| Abstract | This chapter presents a semi-improvised compositional approach, within a hybridised electroacoustic music context. A central component will be an examination of the Analogue Shift Register (ASR) which emerged during the early 70s with the first commercially available unit by Serge. It was described in their literature as a '. sequential sample and hold module for producing arabesque-like forms in musical space'. Sequencing solutions will be discussed alongside contemporary realisations found in devices such as Ornament and Crime's (o_C) CopierMaschine and Turing Machine (Music Thing Modular/Tom Whitwell). Whilst the ASR is a slightly more 'esoteric' device, the lines or patterns developed using these modules can in turn be resampled and integrated into various types of composition. As a practical aid the device can seed results applicable to any electroacoustic medium, as a form of 'electro' continuo, whether for stage or recording studio, and when allied with control voltage (CV) quantisers, knowledge of harmony, oscillator tuning and rhythmic clock sources can result in interesting results. Areas for exploration and use case scenarios where an ASR may be a better 'fit' for certain sorts of practitioners in a live and/or composition setting will be proposed. |
| Keywords | Performance, Composition, Songwriting, Modular Synthesis, Analog Shift Register, Innovation |
| Book title | Innovation in Music Future Opportunities |
| Page range | 162-173 |
| Year | 2021 |
| Publisher | Focal Press |
| Publication dates | |
| Published in print | 22 Jan 2021 |
| Place of publication | London |
| Series | Perspectives on Music Production |
| ISBN | 9780367363352 |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429345388 |
| Web address (URL) | https://www.routledge.com/Innovation-in-Music-Future-Opportunities/Hepworth-Sawyer-Paterson-Toulson/p/book/9780367363352 |