Ellard

(Here are thesis notes in flux. For me, so I can read them on the move. Shoulder surf if you like.)

Technology, and prime usage.

Score, of course. Sibelius?

Player Piano – prime usage Nancarrow, maybe Stravinsky. In any case the use of assisted notes.
So I have no means to construct a piano roll, given that the Mastertouch factory closed in 2005. The equipment probably exists somewhere but I don’t think there’s time to find that. There’s two possibilities:

a. Create or locate software that can take a MIDI stream and create a print of a piano roll, using black for holes. While that is rather cute, on reflection it’s not central to the issue here, it’s a translation of the score but not in any way augmenting it.

b. Better idea – locate a disklavier. Somebody must have one, and might let me load up a disc.

http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/product/piano/product/europe/dl/dl.html

They are jolly expensive!

Gramophone/Cylinder – topologically the same and probably should be considered as such. It’s hard to pick a distinct usage and perhaps better if we consider the general knowledge of acoustic recording that built up despite secrecy. Task then is to make an acoustic recording.

Another thought – can I create an impulse from an existing gramophone and then reuse that to treat my recording? So how do I do that? I could easily pass an impulse through a horn… but what about the playback mechanics? Ideally what I need is the same sound on a 78 disc and completely raw. Which means making up a 78 disc. Which goes in circles, because I’d be simulating a 78 disc with a 78 disc. Shit. Maybe the horn is the key.

CBS 33rpm disc – there are multiple aspects of this disc worthy of consideration but I suspect that the 12 inch single A/B side as a recipe is probably the most fruitful. Q: what is the first dub version we have? I have multi sources here e.g.

In 1968, Kingston, Jamaica sound system operator Ruddy Redwood went to Treasure Isle studio to cut a one-off dub plate. Engineer Byron Smith left the vocal track out by accident, but Redwood kept the result and played it at his next dance with his deejay Wassy toasting over the rhythm. Singles started to appear with a vocal mix on one side and the word “version” on the other.

http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=114&csid2=779&fid1=27342

RCA 45rpm disc – I am leaning towards Magical Mystery Tour as a possible example only because I owned a copy of this in 45 form. But I am not able show for example that sides are arranged so that tracks are interleaved for the auto stacker mechanism. I need to get the track listing. Also, was it ever available with auto stacker holes? I need to think this. I also need to think if I need an auto stacker.

Question then is: do I need to press some 45′s? This is getting expensive.

8 Track cartridge – even though it seems to been an accident I still think that Lou Reeds Metal Machine Music my prime usage for 8 Track.

http://www.8trackheaven.com/

I have the 8 track machine up and running and I still think the idea of tape loops is the most stimulating.

Compact Disc, prime usage was by Brian Eno, Thursday Afternoon, 1985

http://disquiet.com/2005/12/04/after-thursday-afternoon/

http://music.hyperreal.org/artists/brian_eno/TA-txt.html

To be honest, the CD is becoming the least interesting format. What’s so interesting about a CD?

Mini Disc, prime usage was by GESCOM – 1998 (Prix Ars Electronica Winner)

http://touchshop.org/product_info.php?products_id=110

This recording is going great! I am really happy with it – sounds like Gescom on the piano

DVD – we have United States Patent 7085844. Still to find a musical usage that predates my own but this could be a matter of it being too trivial!

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7085844.html

This one is going great too.

Internet – perhaps this starts with Tracker musicians on BBS sites – then perhaps http://www.kosmic.org/ or I think earlier