Batch Normalize and add Fades to Audio Files

A new project I have just started has had me editing a lot of relatively long audio files.  I have to cut them up separating the noise from the spoken word, normalize each file, and add fades to the beginning and end.  Then, I have to export them.  I was using Audacity, which is a great (though ugly) audio editor.  However, there are some problems with batch work in Audacity that ended cost me a lot of time and ultimately making it unsuitable for my purposes.  Finding no app for mac to quickly batch normalize, add fades, and save as a 48k/24-bit file, I decided I would bite the bullet and try to *assemble a bash script to do the tedious work for me.

Filed under: Code, Music, Tutorial / How-to, audio, batch, Code, DIY, electronic music, Music, SoX, synthesis

INI Workshop Prototype Instruments pt. 2

INI Prototype Instruments Pt. 2

These are the last of the prototype instruments I designed for the INI instrument workshop which took place last Thursday at Artspace New Haven.  If you go to ininewhaven.com you can see some pictures and video from the event.  Turnout was great and everyone had a swell time making things to make noise.  We plan to give a series of instrument making workshops at MakeHaven (makehaven.org) in the new year so stay tuned.  We envision a 2-part workshop where we would make contact mics in part 1 and then make instruments in part 2.

Filed under: El MuCo, Music, Tutorial / How-to, Artspace, DIY, El MuCo, instrument, Music, musique concrete

How to: Make Contact Mics

In preparation for our instrument making workshop at Artspace New Haven on December 13th, your intrepid guides Brian and Scott spent a foggy Sunday afternoon making contact mics from scratch.  The below is both a how-to and an advertisement for the workshop.  If you are around New Haven, please follow this link to the INI site and register now as seats are limited to 10 and they will go fast.  So without further ado, lets make some contact mics!

Filed under: El MuCo, Tutorial / How-to, Artspace, contact mic, DIY, El MuCo, how-to, INI

INI Workshop prototype instruments Pt. 1

LLW in Action 1

In preparation for our workshop at Artspace, Brian and I met to quickly put together a few prototype instruments out of wood, screws, springs, etc.  We basically wanted to see what we could do with next to no materials (and no preparation.)  The following prototypes are the results of this first meeting.

Filed under: El MuCo, Artspace, audio, avant-garde, DIY, El MuCo, Improvisation, INI, Music, workshop

Four Pillars I

Four Pillars I
by scott eric petersen
jan – 2011

For live electronics (supercollider) and 4 channel audio.

This piece is the first of a series (still in progress) of pieces that explore feedback networks, interactivity (perceived) and aural serendipity. The recording below is one realization of the piece as each time the code is executed the results vary. It has also been modified from the original (for four channels) for stereo.

Filed under: Code, Music, avant-garde, Code, electronic music, feedback, Music, supercollider, synthesis

“The Record Player is Broken”

nov 2012
SuperCollider Code (executed in real-time.)

I just finished a submission for the SCTweet-a-thon, this time being held at WOCMAT. (Please note that because of WordPress awesomeness (sarcasm… drip drip) the code below runs out of the visible area of the post.  You can see if all clearly if you copy and past it somewhere else.)

Here’s a 4 minute recording of the code in action:

Filed under: Code, SC3 - Code - Music - More, Code, electronic music, feedback loop, Music, supercollider, synthesis

El MuCo at ArtSpace: Instructions not Included

Brian and I have five of our hand-made musical instruments in the gallery at ArtSpace New Haven as part of an exhibition titled “Instructions not Included.” The exhibition will run from November 9 2012 – January 26 2013. The opening is tomorrow from 5-8pm at ArtSpace. Please feel free to join us and explore the exhibition which has some really great work.

Here are some pictures of our contribution to the show.

Filed under: El MuCo, avant-garde, circuit bending, DIY, El MuCo, electronic music, hardware hacking, Music

Evolution 1 Series

I am pleased to present the first pieces recorded and produced in my recording studio. This set of pieces, Evolution 1a, 1b, and 1c were recorded over a period of 3 weeks. The works themselves are a blend of musical intuition (experience), planning, and chance. They are one-time creations and have not been edited. The basic premise of the series is an exploration of a single idea until another idea is introduced by chance. Each additional element is explored and either incorporated or discarded. The time scale and rate-of-change is extremely slow. Each piece employs extensive use of extended techniques.

Evolution 1a 14’44
Violin Improvisation – Bowed

Evolution 1b 9’10
Sequential Two-part Violin Improvisation – Plucked

Evolution 1c 15’09
Sequential Three-part Violin Improvisation – Scratched

Filed under: Music, avant-garde, Improvisation, Music, tape music

Make Testing Speakers for Free**

Required Parts:

• 1-2 8 ohm speakers
• an enclosure (cardboard box, tea tin, coffee can, etc.)
• insulation (cotton, an old shirt, the hair you get from your pet when using the Furminator.)
• wire
• glue ( any will do, but… I cannot recommend a hot glue gun enough. see below)
• alligator clips (deluxe version) or just some metal bit that will conduct the signal.

Required Tools:

• soldering iron (and solder)
• X-acto knife or other cutting tool (depends on the material of your enclosure.)

Recommended Tools:

• wire cutters/stripper
• helping hands
• hot glue gun (and glue)

As the asterisks in the title imply, and as you know from life, nothing is free. If you don’t have the parts, you will have to acquire them.

Filed under: Phase 1, audio, circuit, DIY, electronic, electronics, frequency

Raspberry Pi: first impressions

Getting the Pi Baked

I got my Raspberry Pi in the mail yesterday — a long anticipated event. My excitement was slightly deflated when I realized I didn’t have anything I actually needed to make the damn thing run: micro USB for power, an hdmi-dvi adapter so I could actually see and control it, and a fast SDHC card with lots of room*.

Filed under: El MuCo, Phase 1, arduino, Code, computer, DIY, El MuCo, electronic music, Improvisation, linux, Music, supercollider