Frank Bretschneider experimenting with the Buchla Modular Synthesizer at EMS, Stockholm
Elektronmusikstudion (EMS) is the Swedish centre for electroacoustic music and sound art. The research organization started in 1964 and is based in Stockholm with six studios and a library consisting of a large collection of books about electronic music and sound art. EMS also organizes courses, various events and artist in residence activities. Between 14-27 July, EMS hosted Frank Bretschneider who – after working more than 20 years with digital sounds – was eager to submerge into the analog technology of the legendary Buchla and Serge modular synthesizers. On this occasion, we’ve talked to the co-founder of Raster-Noton to find out more about what is so special about these machines, and his current plans to shift from digital towards analog directions. Frank explains why computer sounds made such a big impression on him when he was younger, and strolling down memory lane he also shares his experiences with mono turning to stereo, raising the question what else is out there which could make such an enormous difference within the limits of perceptible sound.
Read our interview here: soundsofatiredcity.com/frank-bretschneider-ems-interview/
Elektronmusikstudion (EMS) is the Swedish centre for electroacoustic music and sound art. The research organization started in 1964 and is based in Stockholm with six studios and a library consisting of a large collection of books about electronic music and sound art. EMS also organizes courses, various events and artist in residence activities. Between 14-27 July, EMS hosted Frank Bretschneider who – after working more than 20 years with digital sounds – was eager to submerge into the analog technology of the legendary Buchla and Serge modular synthesizers. On this occasion, we’ve talked to the co-founder of Raster-Noton to find out more about what is so special about these machines, and his current plans to shift from digital towards analog directions. Frank explains why computer sounds made such a big impression on him when he was younger, and strolling down memory lane he also shares his experiences with mono turning to stereo, raising the question what else is out there which could make such an enormous difference within the limits of perceptible sound.
Read our interview here: soundsofatiredcity.com/frank-bretschneider-ems-interview/
SINN + FORM
Frank Bretschneider
raster - artistic platform
2015
Recorded July 2014 at EMS Elektronmusikstudion, Stockholm, using the Buchla and Serge analog synthesizer systems.
Edited August to October 2014 in Berlin.
Thanks to Gabrielle Karlsén-Beretta, Mats Erlandsson, Mats Lindström at EMS
Due to heavy stereo field processing it is recommended to play this record on stereo equipment for best results. Playing it mono will cause a loss of volume on some parts.
SINN + FORM is based on the idea of a fundamentally chaotic world as we know it from mathematical or physical theories and models (dynamical systems, probability theory, stochastic systems), and the constant attempt of man to recognize and to describe, predict, control and change this world.
Musically, this system is simulated electronically using a modular synthesizer system. various modules produce a constant flow of randomly generated data that modulate the decisive musical parameters (pitch, note length, volume, tone). The attempt of SINN + FORM in this context is to transform this stream of events into a musically relevant system of chaos and order, dynamics and statics, content and form by means of an improvised but deliberate process of constant control and influence.
Aesthetically, the project recalls the electronic music of the mid 20th century: studios such as the IRCAM in Paris, Stockholm’s EMS (Elektronmusikstudion), the WDR »Studio for Electronic Music« in Cologne, or New York’s Columbia-Princeton Electronic Music Center.
SINN + FORM also captures the dynamics and energy of a spontaneous improvisation, last but not least as a reaction to a complex world, a world in permanent crisis.
The material was recorded in July 2014 at EMS, Stockholm, using the Buchla and Serge analog synthesizer systems.
Frank Bretschneider
raster - artistic platform
2015
Recorded July 2014 at EMS Elektronmusikstudion, Stockholm, using the Buchla and Serge analog synthesizer systems.
Edited August to October 2014 in Berlin.
Thanks to Gabrielle Karlsén-Beretta, Mats Erlandsson, Mats Lindström at EMS
Due to heavy stereo field processing it is recommended to play this record on stereo equipment for best results. Playing it mono will cause a loss of volume on some parts.
SINN + FORM is based on the idea of a fundamentally chaotic world as we know it from mathematical or physical theories and models (dynamical systems, probability theory, stochastic systems), and the constant attempt of man to recognize and to describe, predict, control and change this world.
Musically, this system is simulated electronically using a modular synthesizer system. various modules produce a constant flow of randomly generated data that modulate the decisive musical parameters (pitch, note length, volume, tone). The attempt of SINN + FORM in this context is to transform this stream of events into a musically relevant system of chaos and order, dynamics and statics, content and form by means of an improvised but deliberate process of constant control and influence.
Aesthetically, the project recalls the electronic music of the mid 20th century: studios such as the IRCAM in Paris, Stockholm’s EMS (Elektronmusikstudion), the WDR »Studio for Electronic Music« in Cologne, or New York’s Columbia-Princeton Electronic Music Center.
SINN + FORM also captures the dynamics and energy of a spontaneous improvisation, last but not least as a reaction to a complex world, a world in permanent crisis.
The material was recorded in July 2014 at EMS, Stockholm, using the Buchla and Serge analog synthesizer systems.
SINN + FORM // Preview
2014
Performance
Frank Bretschneider // Pierce Warnecke
Machine built by Akwariom
akwariom.com/en/
2014
Performance
Frank Bretschneider // Pierce Warnecke
Machine built by Akwariom
akwariom.com/en/