Microperformances
The Microperformance idea...
A Microperformance is an improvised piece of music that is performed as a one off within an environment. In essence, like an audio postcard of a time and place. A kind of mini-concert captured in a Polaroid of digital waveforms. It doesn't really matter how it is created - it could just be a performer on a beach with a flute. But as discussed here, the performance is also captured with a field recorder and some video equipment. And, part of the point, the sound track is from the field recorder, so not only is the inspiration drawn from the place and time, but the audio is also directly affected by that environment.
Evolution...
The thinking behind Microperformances came from several ideas that became merged together. The first was that creating tracks in the studio, by recording each part and then adding production and finally mastering a track was time consuming and tends to end up with something that has not always maintained the spark of the original idea.
The second part, which began to inform the solution to the first part, was to create a setup that allowed for intuitive, possibly impulsive, improvisation with plenty of opportunities for switching between sounds and effects.
Initially this was achieved using a Roland Gaia SH 01 hardware synthesiser along with a customised template on a Novation SL 25/49 Compact midi keyboard accessing the Gaia's in built GM midi soundset. The output of this then went through s Boss MX 80 guitar effects board that allowed for sound treatment.
The third part came from the experience of making field recordings and deep listening, often with eyes shut, to the ambience, the reverb tails and the immersiveness of the focus that brings. This and an interest in visiting 'the path less travelled' - often a hidden beach, or a wind swept tor, or some neolithic monument to our distant relations.
What if a performer could travel to such a place and, like a scaled down Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii, capture a moment, somehow...
Portable Technology...
Over a period of time, the idea gelled into several strands. Since portability was essential (it all had to ideally be carried by one person) the implementation was going to have to be in-the-box - running on a laptop.
The controller had to be highly portable also as well as battery powered. Luckily the Novation 25 SL is a highly configurable midi keyboard with aftertouch that can be powered from the USB connection.
There are a number of battery powered bluetooth speakers and a 50W pair of these in a wired stereo configuration is idea, made by W-King (who though that name would be a good idea?!? maybe better in Chinese).
I had performed a one man show in 2017 using two customised Novation keyboards to drive a MacBook running MainStage and this was a good starting point.
To keep the entire operation manageable and interactive, I mounted an iPad to the top of the Novation, using it as a second display for the MacBook and therefore avoiding having the redundant computer keyboard getting in the way.
After some experimentation, the Novation 25 SL was set up to be able to drive MainStage in a highly interactive way, switching between eight sampler/synthesiser and effects chains and controlling eight associated loopers that can be started, stopped, recorded to and cleared as the mood takes you. Various effect parameters can also be modified on the fly using aftertouch, modwheel, and dedicated buttons and knobs on the Novation.
Microperformances
01.1 and 01.2
The first experimental Microperformance was in the Autumn of 2024 at Sharp Tor, near Stowes Hill and the Cheesewring on Bodmin Moor, Cornwall ( 50.537180, -4.456376 ). There are two longish form pieces, 01.1 and 01.2, running at about 8 minutes.
It was a very windy day - there was a risk of being blown away taking a cut-away shot along the top of the tor. One camera position had to be changed because the iPhone/Tripod combination was rocking so much. It ended up lower than I wanted, but did actually stay put.
The 360 degree camera (that will be used to create an immersive video as well in due course) was a bit wobbly, but at least it was standing on a rock.
The first performance MP 01.1 - Kokonor took the concept of having the the audio directly affected by that environment to a bit of an extreme. It did require some noise reduction and is still very raw. The video is still in production.
The first performance MP 01.2 - Sharp Tor is now available for viewing on Youtube. The field recorder was moved to a place of safety for this recording!
Sharp Tor from Stowes Hill, by the Cheesewring, Bodmin Moor, Cornwall - the first Microperformance location
The Microperformances Setup
Microperformances Template built in Apple MainStage. This has eight loopers, each with a separate sampler/synthesiser and effects chain, controlled by customised midi controls on the Novation 25 SL Compact.
Setting Up the Equipment at Sharp Tor
Lining up the 360 degree video camera.
I would be very interested to hear your observations in the comments!