QuFoam (2020)
​                (premiere: UC Berkeley May 2020)
               - the system: - a realtime generated sound mass of 450 sonic particles organized into 9 waves
                                             - high level controls to interact with and evolve the system over time  
                                             - projected visuals reflect each particle's volume, pitch (sample transposition), type of contrapuntal
​                                               motion, and density
               - presentation: 3 études performed with this system in realtime

QuFoam: 3 Études for Generative and Interactive Sound Mass Engine
    i)   metal
    ii)  wood / fibers
    iii) metal - brick - metal

About the work

In my dissertation project, QuBits, I tried out many principles and techniques to discover compelling sound masses and textures.  For me, the most important principle I discovered is as follows: a very complex sound can be "crushed" to the scale of the very, very tiny (i.e., into the scale of a particle) by making it very quiet in volume.  Then, by assembling a large number of these "crushed" complex sounds, the resulting sound mass has its own unique timbre, literally greater than the sum of its parts.  At moments, the mass reveals glimpses into the source material of the individual particles while also generating a much vaster ocean of energy with a new sonic quality. 

QuFoam primarily aims to explore this principle.  It also is my latest exploration into algorithmically generated music that can be shaped realtime by interactive controls.  This system has a mind of its own but I can also drive it from top level inputs.