2020-2021 Class
Concept
For the first online edition of the SPRAWL class, all students were equipped with the original Access Points, used for the original approach. The concept relied on irregular weekend sessions with additional meetings during the week.
In each session, the SPRAWL System was used for audio connections. Video and additional talkback for trouble shooting was realized with a parallel Zoom session, as shown in the figure below. For leave streams, as in the closing concert, the audio from the Jacktrip connections is merged with the video from the Zoom meeting, by means of OBS on an additional Acess Point dedicated to straming.
Video stream during the closing concert.
Scores and Compositions
Several conepts were explored during the semester, including graphic scores, text-based compositions and configuration-based improvisations.
Graphic Scores
Graphic scores are a simple but effective means for guiding improvisations in network performances. They can be distributed to all participants via screen sharing to ensure a decent synchronization.
Blodgett
Blodgett is a text-based score by Robert Stokowy, comissioned by the EOC in 2019:
https://robertstokowy.bandcamp.com/track/blodgett-i
The score gives precise instructions on the spatial behavior of the sound sources. In the SPRAWL System, each participant takes control of his/her own source position, thus sharing the task of spatialization. Focusing on simple properties like proximity/distance and movement/stillness, each student programmed a Pure Data patch, allowing a GUI-based control on the default Access Points' touch screen.
Granular Confusion
Granular Confusion is a concept by Mario Hillenbrand, developed for the SPRAWL System. The Access Points are devided into sound generators and processors:
Generators can use any means for sound generation.
Processors are all running the same granular patch.
The Access Points are statically connected, as shown in the figure below. An additional sound director takes care of spatialization and manages the start/stop procedure of the configuration. A minimal timeline is used to guide the iprovisation, telling the generators when to be active.
Signal routing for Granular Confusion.