3^3 by Stank Lloyd Blight published on 2021-12-14T17:31:30Z Created for the University of Lethbridge's Integra Contemporary Electronics ensemble by Evan Alexander & Alex Wang. Description: 3^3 (Three to the Power of Three/Three Cubed) is an instrumental piece for live code, guitar and synthesis based on the concept of three spaces. Initially, these spaces represented states of mind; thinking, acting, and reflecting. As the piece evolved around the ICE ensemble’s chosen theme of “a race for space”, this theme became more reflective of current events in 2021. Specifically, it deals with the rise of private spaceflight for the ultra-wealthy while the rest of society grapples with unprecedented challenges; most of which do not benefit from earth’s elite finding the fastest way to leave the planet behind. The piece was performed live at the ICE ensemble’s public workshop on December 8th, 2021, by 6 performers. The recorded version was produced solo by overdubbing. Rhythm, bass and harmonic voices are generated through live coding in TidalCycles on the Estuary platform. Multiple guitar parts were layered to emulate the code, with three guitars initially following the bassline and arpeggios in the first movement. These guitars form most of the harmonic voices throughout 3^3. The second movement is marked by an accelerando, and a shift in texture towards continuous synth melodies generated by Berna3 and a Moog Theremin. Berna3 is a simulation of early electronic test equipment used at the RAI Musical Phonology Studio in Milan. This standalone software by Giorgio San Cristoforo is oriented towards giving a digital version of this equipment which follows the same techniques and limitations of the original technology. It is therefore vastly different from many software synthesizers, relying on patching and connection between oscillators, modulators, filters, and processors to generate variable tones and timbres without the performer using MIDI devices or sequencers to play a rhythmic passage. At the crescendo in the 2nd movement, notice the long beeping tone similar to a dial-up modem connecting to the internet. This is a Slow-Scan Television signal (SSTV). SSTV was the earliest method used to transmit images from space and was carried aboard Vostok and Apollo spacecraft in the 1960s. This type of transmission is now vastly outdated by modern broadband satellite technology, but retains its place in orbit aboard the International Space Station. The Russian Service Module of the ISS contains an amateur ham radio station, which transmits an image every two minutes. The image you are “hearing” is featured on the artwork of this track. It is a real (and unsettling) photo of Jeff Bezos eating a roasted Iguana at the 2018 Explorers Club Annual Dinner. Bezos was at the dinner to accept the Buzz Aldrin space exploration award. For more info on SSTV aboard the ISS, visit https://amsat-uk.org/beginners/iss-sstv/ To learn about the RAI studio, visit this brief virtual tour at https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-rai-musical-phonology-studio-in-milan/HQKydVkfsfbuJQ Genre Electronic Comment by 6RAF Beep boop beep boop 2022-01-07T04:26:05Z