The musical instruments invented by Jeff Snyder are inspired by age-old techniques of instrument building. Combining this inherited knowledge of luthiers with compositional ideas based on intonation alone, it might not be surprising that the work of composer and instrument … read more
Transduction and Acoustic Radiator by Kristen Roos
Not only does Kristen Roos work with the frequency range audible for human beings, but also many other frequencies and vibrational phenomena are of high importance in his work. He makes different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum perceivable for human beings … read more
Loudspeakeroperas by Huba de Graaff
In her opera Lautsprecher Arnolt (2004) Huba de Graaff decided to have most roles played by loudspeakers. Only the main character—the writer, Arnolt Bronnen (1895-1959)—is played by a human actor, Marien Jongewaard. Arnolt himself is literally a “loud speaker”, screaming … read more
Speaker Feedback Instruments by Lesley Flanigan
The speaker feedback instruments by Lesley Flanigan are a beautiful example of combining acoustic feedback and musical instruments. What makes the technology of these instruments exceptional is their use of so-called contact microphones (simple piezo-ceramic elements) instead of a … read more
Fifty years of loudspeakers and ping pong balls
Some objects seem particularly suitable for use in preparing loudspeakers. Perhaps ping pong balls were favored objects for this due to their lightness and characteristic sound. Comparing several of these set-ups reveals that—fortunately!—using a similar technology can still result in … read more
Hemispherical loudspeakers for laptop orchestras
With the rise of laptops in music in the 1990s, and more musicians using laptops on stage, it did not take long before the first laptop orchestra was founded. Nowadays there are many of them and there is even an … read more
Klangflug by Lara Stanic
In her performance Klangflug (2006 – 2013, several versions) Lara Stanic looks for ways to transmit the airiness and volatility of sound itself to the heavy loudspeakers, needed to produce sounds. By simulating sounds of an airplane taking off on … read more
Bandoneonbook by Hans W. Koch
In Bandoneonbook (2003) by Hans W. Koch the acoustic feedback between the small, internal microphone and the loudspeaker of a computer is played by opening and closing the laptop, similar to how one would play a bandoneon. The music software, … read more
p. 169 Silence is my voice by Matthias Kaul
Frauke Aulbert performs Silence is my voice (2005) by Matthias Kaul. She has a small loudspeaker in her mouth.
p. 163 Open Air Bach by Lara Stanic
Open Air Bach (2005) by Lara Stanic: