Composer-in-Residence, Stockholm EMS, Sweden.

2nd – 11th May 2014.

During the residency I performed and recorded sounds from the Buchla 200 modular synthesiser, decoded ambisonic field recordings and also performed a solo concert at Flylinken.

Worked mainly in Studio 4 with the Buchla 200 modular synthesiser and Studio 2 the eight-channel studio. Invited and delivered a presentation about my music research to VEMS a user group based at EMS-Bollplank.

Compositional work undertaken at EMS :

1. Lamaload (work-in-progress) 8 channel composition based on sounds recorded at Lamaload Dam, Peak District National Park, UK.

2. Current 9: visualisation of sounds recorded from retro and vintage synthesisers, such as EMS VCS3, Drum machines, EMT 140 echo plate, and Buchla 200 synthesisers.

3. Mixed Thought Universe and The Baggy Kidz muisc for the label TUM.

4. Leaves: an algorthmic audio-visual performance platform developed in max/msp and processing.

Established in 1964, Stockholm Elektromusikstudion EMS is one of Europe’s foremost institutions of electronic music experimentation that facilitates a community of international composers and sound artists. The sheer diversification of sonic projects taking place drives the organizations creative energy; the social formation continues to question the rigors of modernism without discouraging others. The professional administrative and technical staff offered excellent support making the residency a productive and worthwhile experience. The musical, culture and social formations encouraged me to identify new ways of music creation within the studio environment.

Designed by Donald Buchla in the 1960’s, the Buchla 200 modular synthesiser allows a user to connect various sound modules to create complex and evolving sonic textures. The practical experience of working with the Buchla informed my artistic research into composing with analog modular synthesisers. The resulting sound material was used in the subsequent electronic compositions Foof (multi-channel), Current 9 (a/v) and Lens 7 (a/v)

In Studio 2 at EMS I decoded B-format ambisonic recordings made at the base of the Lamaload Dam into eight-channels using Wigware plug-ins in Reaper. The 8 channel stems were further transformed through the Buchla’s 200 synthesisers sound modules using external analog inputs to create control voltages to produce a respondent synthetic texture. The resulting sound material was finally visualised to produce an Lamaload (2016) installation that explores the global impact of damming.