In this entry I will be documenting the process of my preparation for my composition for the assignment.

Having explored using the guitar for sound design over an afternoon, I have sampled a few tones into my rack mount sampler. Using the tuning on the headstock and harmonic playing techniques, I sampled around nine tones similar to sine waves, although there is additional texture from the resonance between the strings.

I further edited these samples, adjusting the speed/pitch of the samples to get them as close as possible in pitch to one another, however, I found it quite aesthetically desirable to allow a slight dissonance or detune between the tones as it gave each one it’s own unique character. I created loop points in the sample tones so that they would loop indefinitely when played, although it is obvious where the loop point is as there is an audible clip due to the sampler (Akai S3000XL) being produced in the 90s: the sampling technology was not as accurate as our DAWs today.

With these tones prepared, I saved them and now plan to bring them into the performance lab to send them into a multi speaker setup and sequence these tones via the midi sequencer on my synthesiser (Roland SH01-a). I have not planned the speaker layout, nor chosen the speakers, so I will act instinctively and spontaneously to create a 3D soundscape within the room. I have not prepared any sequence for the piece, nor composed a narrative (e.g. text score) as I want the performance to be more expressive, improvised and create a relation in realtime between the composer (obviously myself) and the whole experience of being within a soundscape of my own creation. I hope this practice will push me to tell an interesting story with the many strict limitations set within the available capabilities of pitch and tone. Essentially, the freedom of play in the piece comes from the use of space, timing and sequencing order of the sound objects.