chaosflöte
Introduction
The Chaosflöte is a sensor-augmented flute and a tool for the creation of interdisciplinary performances. Born out of the desire to give the performer freedom and creative expressivity with electronics, the Chaosflöte can be programmed to control anything from the timbre of the electronic sound it produces, to crafting immersive, on-screen visuals that react to the performer’s movements.
We at Null-state believe in the importance of making sensor-augmented instruments more widely accessible to musicians. This is why the Chaosflöte is comprised of wireless, easily removable modules that install ergonomically onto the instrument. Performers and composers not familiar with programming will find our open-source, touchscreen interface easy to use when programming the functionality of the Chaosflöte for their specific needs.
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The Chaosflöte is currently on its third alpha-state, containing the following components:
i. An Adafruit Feather microcontroller
ii. A custom keyswitch board with an embedded motion sensor.
iii. TE Connectivity Measurement Specialties 4515-DS5B002DP airflow pressure sensor
iv. Specially designed plastic mount and casing
The hardware has been primarily developed in collaboration with Sébastien Schiesser at the Zürich University of the Arts (ZHdK) Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology (ICST). The component list will continue to develop as the instrument is being refined.
hardware
Software
The Chaosflöte is distributed with custom software---called the ChaosCPU---to deliver a highly flexible, portable, and integratable experience without the necessity for understanding how multimedia programming works. The ChaosCPU includes graphic interfaces for Chaosflöte sound synthesis and processing modules, in addition to global audio and server controls. Users will be able to specify signal flow by patching together modules in its own patching environment, and can customize the look and feel of any of the preloaded synthesis and processing modules, in addition to being able to upload their own.
While the ChaosCPU is built around SuperCollider as its engine for sound processing and synthesis, it is designed to be used in any other language that is capable of sending and receiving OSC messages.
Prototype of the ChaosCPU Graphical User Interface
The ChaosCPU contains everything one needs to get set up and experimenting with the Chaosflöte. For touch-screen access to the modules' controls during performances, ports of the software to Android and iOS are also currently in the works, as well as an Audio Unit version for incorporation in Digital Audio Workstations, such as Logic and Reaper.
COMPOSITION
One of the visions for the Chaosflöte is to enable new, interdisciplinary compositions for the instrument. Thus, we have strongly believed in composing and premiering a new composition for every stage of the instrument's development. Below you can hear the most recent compositions on the most recent version of the Chaosflöte.
List of Compositions:
BAD DECISIONS (2019) by Melody Chua
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World Premiere (August 2019) at Design Biennale Zürich
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Performance (September 2019) at Swiss Digital Day
NEXTION (2018) by Melody Chua
(alpha-state ver. 4 instrument)
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World Premiere (September 2018) at ZHdK Highlights 2018; Zürich, Switzerland
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U.S. Premiere (October 2018) at Hidden Springs Ale Works as part of the program Terroir New Music 007: Digital Juice Tampa, Florida
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Performance (October 2018) at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Daytona Beach, Florida
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Performance (November 2018) at La Côte Flute Festival Gland, Switzerland
Human Sequencer (2018) by Benjamin D. Whiting
(alpha-state ver. 4 instrument)
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World Premiere (June 2018) DIMENSIONS:Chaosflöte Final Master Recital at Zürcher Hochschule der Künste Zürich, Switzerland
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U.S. Premiere (October 2018) at Hidden Springs Ale Works as part of the program Terroir New Music 007: Digital Juice Tampa, Florida
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Performance (October 2018) at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Daytona Beach, Florida
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Performance (November 2018) at La Côte Flute Festival Gland, Switzerland
How Am I Not Myself? (2018) by Howard Kenty (2017 Null-state Commission Competition Winner)
(alpha-state ver. 4 instrument)
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World Premiere (June 2018) DIMENSIONS:Chaosflöte Final Master Recital at Zürcher Hochschule der Künste Zürich, Switzerland
Chaos Ver. 4: Circle (2018) by Melody Chua
(alpha-state ver. 4 instrument)
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World premiere (February 2018): ZHdK Academic Advisory Committee Event: "Future of Creative Industries"
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Performance (June 2018) DIMENSIONS:Chaosflöte Final Master Recital at Zürcher Hochschule der Künste Zürich, Switzerland
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U.S. Premiere (October 2018) at Hidden Springs Ale Works as part of the program Terroir New Music 007: Digital Juice Tampa, Florida
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Performance (October 2018) at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Daytona Beach, Florida
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Performance (November 2018) at La Côte Flute Festival Gland, Switzerland
Prelude for an Avenoir (2017) by Melody Chua
(alpha-state ver. 4 instrument)
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World premiere (September 2017): Timucua White House, Orlando, Florida
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European Premiere (September 2017): Digital Festival, Zürich, Switzerland (http://creativezurich.ch/events/event/creative-zurich-wednesday-on-tour-digital-festival-zurich/)
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Performance (September 2017): Zürcher Hochschule der Künste "Insights," Zürich, Switzerland
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Performance (September 2017): Zürcher Hochschule der Künste Highlights Festival, Zürich, Switzerland
Entropic Atelier Nr. 3 (2017) by Benjamin D. Whiting
(alpha-state ver. 4 instrument)
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World premiere (September 2017): Timucua White House, Orlando, Florida
Chaos Ver. 2b (2017) by Melody Chua
(alpha-state ver. 3 instrument)
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World premiere (April 2017): Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, Zürich, Switzerland
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Performance (May 2017): Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, Zürich, Switzerland
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Performance (September 2017): Zürcher Hochschule der Künste Highlights Festival, Zürich, Switzerland
HCaos Ver. 2 (2017) by Melody Chua
(alpha-state ver. 2 instrument)
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World premiere (January 2017): E-Werk Geburstag der Künste, Freiburg, Germany, broadcasted by Südwestrundfunk Deutschland
Selective Memory (2016) by Melody Chua
(alpha-state ver. 1 instrument)
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World premiere (July 2016): Atlantic Music Festival Future Music Lab at Colby Art Museum, Waterville, Maine
Entropic Atelier Nr. 1-2 (2016) by Benjamin D. Whiting
(alpha-state ver. 0 instrument)
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World premiere (May 2016): University of Illinois School of Music, Urbana, Illinois
Chaos Ver. 1 (2016) by Melody Chua
(alpha-state ver. 0 instrument)
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World premiere (May 2016): University of Illinois School of Music, Urbana, Illinois
Babby’s First Song (2016) by Melody Chua and Benjamin D. Whiting