Free Fall- 8-Channel eletroacoustic composition and its 'Translation' to the Dolby 5.1 DVD-Audio format

Lead Research Organisation: University of Birmingham
Department Name: Languages Cultures Art History & Music

Abstract

The research focuses primarily on the composition of an 8-channel acoustic electroacoustic work (The last cycle of four pieces based loosely on 'the elements') which aims to achieve a sensation of 'falling' via the movement of sound in space. The four pieces uses different 8-channel loudspeaker arrays to maximise the varying characteristics of space and motion of their sound materials. The research examines the relative merits of these different formats from the perspectives of both composition and performance practice, and then explores ways of rendering these 'audio images ' into commercial Dolby 5.1 format for DVD-audio release.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Title 'Environs' (IMED 0788, DVD-Audio on empreintes DIGITALes, Montreal) 
Description DVD-Audio release containing the two works ('Internal Combustion' and 'Free Fall') related to the period of extended Study Leave: Undertow (2007) 12'19 ReCycle (1999-2006) - Rock'n'Roll (2004) 11'43 - Internal Combustion (2005-06) 11'43 - Free Fall (2006) 7'54 - Streams (1999) 16'12 Afterthoughts (2007) 15:59 All these works were originally composed in (different formats of) 8 channels and remixed for the DVD-A format of 5.1 surround sound. 
Type Of Art Artefact (including digital) 
Year Produced 2007 
Impact The disc is, of course, a product for the domestic market; concert performances of these works are normally presented in their original 8-channel formats. There have been numerous national and international public performances of both 'Internal Combustion' and 'Free Fall', including as part of complete performances of 'ReCycle', in Birmingham and Basel. 
URL http://www.electrocd.com/en/cat/imed_0788/
 
Title Free Fall 
Description Format: 8-channel acousmatic music Duration: 7'50 Date of composition: 2006 Premiered: Festival L'Espace du son, Théâtre Marni, Brussels, 20 October 2006 
Type Of Art Composition/Score 
Year Produced 2006 
Impact 4 further performances, including two as part of complete performance of 'ReCycle' ('Rock'n' Roll', 'Internal Combustion', 'Free Fall', 'Streams') 
URL http://www.electrocd.com/en/cat/imed_0788/
 
Title Internal Combustion 
Description Format: 8-channel acousmatic music Duration: 11'43; Date of composition: 2005-06 Premiered: Tinguely Museum, Basel, Switzerland, 17 November 2006 
Type Of Art Composition/Score 
Year Produced 2006 
Impact 34 further performances in UK and internationally, including at International Computer Music Conference, 2008; GRM's Akousma series, Paris, 2011; festivals (Bourges; Zentrum für Kunst un Medientechnologie, Karlsruhe; Brussels; Buenos Aires: Montpellier; RedSonic, London; MANTIS, Manchester); conferences (Toronto Electroacoustic Symposium; RMA, Aberdeen; EMUFest, Rome; Sonic Spatial Perspectives, Leeds; at higher educations institutions (Vienna; Harvard; Stanford; Weimar; Graz; Cologne; Miami; Sheffield; DMU; Bristol; Edinburgh); and at commercial events (New York City, Seville; London; Birmingham) Awarded Mention in the Bourges International Electroacoustic Awards, France, 2008 Published on 'Environs' - solo DVD-Audio release on empreintes DIGITALes, Montreal (IMED 0788) 
URL http://www.electrocd.com/en/cat/imed_0788/