As an initial model for the piece I'd like to put together, I've looked at "Sparkler" by Tod Machover. Sparkler is an introductory movement for a large work known as the "Toy Symphony" and employs the use of computers to manipulate the sound of a small orchestra in real-time. The following brief describes the microphone techniques, hardware and software design, and design challenges that were confronted during the construction of the work.
The Process:
1) Over the summer I will be researching precedents in the intersection between western classical composition, new media performance, and instrument - computer interface. In addition, I will choose 3-4 hybrid instruments to prototype, and have rough physical sketches completed by the end of June. Concurrently, I will be improving my programming skills in MaxMSP and have a rough mapping architecture completed by the end of August.
As for the narrative elements and visual aesthetic, I will maintain sketches and ideas as I work on the hardware and software for the piece, but clearly the narrative elements will have to be integrated after I get a better idea of what is sonically (and therefore, visually) possible so that the narrative elements are tightly and cohesively integrated into the sound world created by the instruments, electronic manipulations, and sound design.
2) Once the prototypes of the hybrid instruments are completed, refining the body design, ergonomics, and computer interface will be possible with crucial input from musicians / users. Once the tools begin to take shape I will go forward with composition and overall narrative.
The Compositional, Hardware / Software, Design, and Narrative elements diagram:
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