Composing for laptop orchestra

Scott Smallwood; Dan Trueman; Perry R. Cook; Ge Wang

doi:10.1162/comj.2008.32.1.9

Composing for laptop orchestra

Scott Smallwood, Dan Trueman, Perry R. Cook, Ge Wang

Music

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

The recently formed Princeton Laptop Orchestra (PLOrk) can be said as the first ever orchestra conducting using a laptop computer. The feat is especially relevant as it developed strategies for control, sound design, spatialization, conductor roles, improvisation and instrument design. PLOrk is an ensemble of laptop-based instrumentalists with localized sound sources. Producing sonic space comparable to a large ensemble of instruments that generate sound from various points on a stage, the sound of each player radiating out in all directions. PLOrk used equipment including Apple PowerBook G4s and MacBooks, software development environments Max?MSP, SuperCollider and ChucK, a rack of audio equipment consisting of a multi-channel Firewire interface, speaker amplification and a sensor interface and a hemispherical speaker with six individually addressable speakers. The PLOrk orchestra produced a sound that is both limiting and inspiring. The ensemble is tightly synchronized via a network and is assisted by a specialized conductor.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	9-24
Number of pages	16
Journal	Computer Music Journal
Volume	32
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1162/comj.2008.32.1.9
State	Published - Mar 2008

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Media Technology
Music
Computer Science Applications

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10.1162/comj.2008.32.1.9

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Composing for laptop orchestra

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

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