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Date and Time Monday, 6th March 2017, at 4:00pm
Place Room 2.16, Electronic Engineering building, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS. Information on how to access the school can be found at here.
Speaker Daniel Overholt
Title Augmented Expressivity for Acoustic Instruments: Actuation and Gestural Control
Video
Abstract Experimental work with a series of hybrid acoustic / electric violins will be presented, where embedded signal processing enables real-time alteration and enhancement of the acoustic sounds. This makes it possible for performers to explore sounds beyond the traditional timbres of the violin. The current research is focused on augmenting the expressivity of the violin toward novel timbral possibilities, as opposed to simulations of traditional acoustic violin bodies. The presentation includes several practical approaches to sensor/actuator augmentation and extended playing techniques that can be applied to bowed-string or other instruments, in order to provide creative control over the possibilities offered by various Digital Signal Processing algorithms. Acoustically-emanating sounds and effects can be controlled via a musician’s movements. For example, gestures tracked by a variety of sensors can be used to extend the techniques of the player’s performance to include real-time control over the new sonic possibilities.
Bio Dan Overholt is an Associate Professor at Aalborg University Copenhagen. His research interests include advanced technologies for interactive interfaces and novel audio signal processing algorithms, with a focus on new techniques for creating music and interactive sound. He is involved in the development of tangible interfaces and control strategies for processing human gestural inputs that allow interaction with of a variety of audiovisual systems. Dan is also a composer, improviser, inventor and instrument builder who performs internationally with his new musical instruments and custom sound synthesis and processing algorithms. Dr. Overholt received a PhD in Media Arts and Technology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a M.S. in Media Arts and Sciences from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has about 40 peer-reviewed publications and two patents (one provisional).