Project description

C128 is an interactive installation wherein attendees shape and alter the timbre of a constantly sounding audio-generating system in Max MSP by scanning barcodes on empty plastic water bottles placed around the space. The fundamental concept behind the installation was collaborative sound design – where anyone regardless of their knowledge of sound design could attend and help to create and alter an engaging sonic atmosphere. The outputs of every sound-generating subpatch were be recorded and stored each time the installation was run. These recordings were sifted through, edited and made into a library of samples and a contemporary electronic piece was written exclusively using these samples.

In essence, the installation was to serve as both a performance, and as a method of sound design that subverted the expectations of typical interaction between consumer and barcode.

A room filled with bottles, and a projected image on the wall. A desk, table and grand piano sit at the front of the room
Room Setup (First Day)

Here you can listen to a 12-minute snippet of audio from the first installation day.

With the audio that was recorded from both installation days, I created a sample library which was then used to create a 6-minute piece of music. For this piece, I wanted to try and get as much out of the original audio as possible, as a means of showcasing the versatility of the system I created as a sound design tool.

The process involved listening through all the audio I had recorded from both days, choosing segments I thought were the most sonically engaging and editing these down to samples by trimming them and through the use of plugins and automation. Once I had all the samples I needed, I began arranging them into the structure that is heard in the final piece. Then all that was left was further automation and mixing. 

Below are Soundcloud playlists of the the samples that were used to create the piece, split between atmospheric and percussive.

Skills & Experience
  • Max MSP
  • Logic Pro X and other DAWs
  • C++
  • JUCE
  • Field Recording
  • Studio Recording
  • Foley Work
  • Sibelius
  • Use of Illustrator, Photoshop and Premiere Pro for personal projects

Related student work

Front view of the interactive sink

Anne E. Stoner

Reid School of Music Music - MA (Hons)
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Consumerism
Digital
Sound
Technologies
Participation
Music - MA (Hons)
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