Michael Maguire


Studio Practice as Live Solo Performance of Existing Pre-Recorded Digital Audio Using a Digital Musical Instrument Controller


This thesis explores the use of existing recorded music as source material in the production and solo performance of electroacoustic music. In doing so, it is intended to examine how using this material influences the processes involved in the production and live performance practices of electroacoustic music, including the development of a performance system for specific performance practices.
  This thesis consists of the production and performance of a composition, using a Digital Musical Instrument controller, which seeks to demonstrate the approach afforded by the abilities and limitations of the both the controller device and the performance system as a whole. Source material for this piece is a recording of traditional Irish music, and the performance consists of the live performance practice of digital audio effects processing using a gestural interface.

For the purposes if this thesis, Ableton Live software has been utilised as a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), in conjunction with a dedicated hardware controller, the Akai APC 40. This device facilitates interaction with the Ableton software, including control of digital effects via its rotary encoders and faders.
  The piece is performed in a manner that is dictated both by the influence of the source material, the type of hardware device used, and the application of constraints to the device. The application of constraints is designed to focus on a particular performance style, namely that of live effects processing. Constraining the device and the performance system in this manner not only enforces a performance style, but also simplifies the learning process of performing with the device.
  The source audio material for the composition was limited to existing recordings of traditional Irish music. Although the choice of this musical genre is not an integral aspect of this thesis, it will help to demonstrate how a form of existing recorded music can influences the eventual performance practice.

Michael Maguire