On the road in OCT-NOV-DEC 2017

Posted in Announcement on October 16th, 2017 by admin

05.10 – Vector Synthesis, SIMULTAN Festival, Timisoara RO (pictured)

09-10.10 – Field recording workshop, 7 DAYS of SOUND, Klaipeda LT

13.10 – Vector Synthesis, Meq Festival, Centre Dramatique National de Montpellier, Montpellier FR

14.10 – SoundBoxes workshop, Meq Festival, Centre Dramatique National de Montpellier, Montpellier FR

11.11 – Vector Synthesis workshop + performance, sound art festival, Copenhagen DK

18.11 – Vector Synthesis, Piksel Festival, Bergen NO

22.11 – Vector Synthesis, MuTe Festival, Sibelius Academy, Helsinki FI

24.11 – Vector Synthesis, Noisy November, Viljandi EE

27-29.11 – Vector Synthesis workshop, Piksel Festival, Bergen NO

04-10.12 – SoundBoxes workshop [w/ Björn Eriksson], Hola folkhögskola, Prästmon SE

11-15.12 – Neanderthal Electronics workshop [w/ Jeroen Vandesande], RITCS Academy, Brussels BE

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Vector Synthesis Workshop Berlin

Posted in Announcement on June 8th, 2017 by admin

VECTOR SYNTHESIS WITH DEREK HOLZER

http://spektrumberlin.de/events/detail/vector-synthesis-with-derek-holzer.html

WORKSHOP (7hours/1day)
Level: introductory/beginners
Costs: 70 euro
Max number of participants: 12 people
Min number of participants: 4 people
Contact: macumbista@gmail.com
Sign up through this form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfo-Wn4JIdidSTJuTWmu6mzMFK34VH1d0qDVwMJ9InObAJcig/viewform

OWN COMPUTER AND HEADPHONES ARE NEEDED

DESCRIPTION

The VECTOR SYNTHESIS project is an audiovisual, computational art project using sound synthesis and vector graphics display techniques to investigate the direct relationship between sound+image. It draws on the historical work of artists such as Mary Ellen Bute, John Whitney, Nam June Paik, Ben Laposky, and Steina & Woody Vasulka among many others, as well as on ideas of media archaeology and the creative re-use of obsolete technologies.

SOFTWARE

During this workshop, you will learn how to use a custom library in the Pure Data programming environment to directly control the vertical and horizontal movements, as well as the brightness, of a beam of light. You will then explore Lissajous figures, waveform representations, and other multiplexed, audio-driven visual shapes and forms which can be displayed and manipulated in real time on an XY oscilloscope, Vectrex game console, ILDA laser display, and other analog vector displays using a DC coupled soundcard.

HARDWARE

We will also discuss hardware essentials such as how to modify a normal CRT monitor for vector inputs, how to hack together a cheap DC coupled soundcard, how to use a microcontroller such as the Teensy, Bela or Axoloti as a base for your vector synthesizer, and how to interface with the International Laser Display Association control protocol.

WHAT TO BRING

Please bring your own laptop. If you have a DC soundcard such as the MOTU Ultralight, please bring that as well. Many cheap USB soundcards can be adapted for DC use as well, you can find them on EBay or I will bring several for sale at the workshop. There will be a limited number of displays, so if you already own an analog XY oscilloscope, Vectrex game console, or other vector monitor, that would be very useful to bring. And finally, please get in touch if you have a CRT monitor you would like to see hacked (no guarantees!) during the hardware phase of the workshop. (Additional materials fee applies, we can discuss this.)

LINKS

http://macumbista.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/VECTOR-SYNTHESIS-PURE-DATA-LIBRARY.pdf

https://www.instagram.com/macumbista/

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP HOLDER

Derek Holzer is an American instrument builder and sound artist whose current interests include DIY analogue electronics, field recording, media archaeology and the meeting points of electroacoustic, noise, improv and extreme music.

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Atelier Macumba presents a Night of Primitive Electronics

Posted in Announcement on August 7th, 2016 by admin

primitive electornics flier dirty

ATELIER MACUMBA presents

A NIGHT of PRIMITIVE ELECTRONICS featuring

GROWTH [DE]
RANDOM SONIC ATTACK [PL/GR/DE]
DEREK HOLZER + HÉLÈNE CANUET [USA/FR/DE]
The Students of SONIC COLLEGE HADERSLEV [DK]

plus DISTILLED SPIRITS by SLOWLANDS

17 AUG 2016 20:00 doors, 20:30 sound
55 Herzbergstrasse, Berlin-Lichtenberg

Event is held in the ground floor “cold hall”, next to the former Canteen.

GROWTH is a forest of ambiguities. It is an inward gaze, a state of being, and a largely improvised performance by the hands of Berlin based non-musician Lars Ennsen which may be classified in terms of minimal, ambient, and drone.
https://growthgrowth.bandcamp.com/

RANDOM SONIC ATTACK landed on planet earth approximately half a year ago. A collaboration between Goolyk & Damn Jar. Cassette tape album is in the processing state. In the meantime you can listen to one studio improvisation and one live recording here:
https://soundcloud.com/randomsonicattack

HÉLÈNE CANUET is a polymorphe French photographer, writer and performer. Rare on the art scene over 4 years , her work was only show in few galeries in Berlin. Lyrical, surrealistic or conceptuel her propositions are always very personal, almost intimate on the edge of poesie and social politic. Based on improvisation some of her projects seems done to snaked emotion and fired expectation.
https://soundcloud.com/capitaine3000

For her collaboration with instrument-builder DEREK HOLZER this evening, Hélène will present her spoken-word texts as material for the DELILAH TOO VOICE ENCODING SYSTEM.
http://tinyurl.com/delilah-too-ctm-info

The students of SONIC COLLEGE [Haderslev DK] will present the results of their SOUNDBOXES workshop at 20:30 sharp to a limited audience in a separate, darkened hall. Please be ***pünktlich*** if you plan to experience this!
http://soniccollege.org/

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2 Day SoundBoxes Workshop in Berlin

Posted in Announcement on March 13th, 2016 by admin

apr-soundboxes-promo

PROJECT SPACE KLEINER SALON, BERLIN DE
2-3 APRIL 2016

Explore DIY electronics and sound art performance with your own SoundBox during this two-day workshop in Berlin-Kreuzberg.

SoundBoxes are small, primitive electro-acoustic instruments built from a wooden box, a speaker, a small audio amplifier and a contact microphone. They can create a variety of drone and reverb-type sounds through feedback between the speaker and microphone, or they can bring out the hidden sounds found within everyday objects. They also have small touchpoints which can be used to produce a variety of “circuit bending” sounds.

During the first day, we will learn about electricity, how it becomes sound and then how to build the SoundBoxes themselves. On the second day, we will explore the possibilities of the SoundBoxes, with the goal of collaboratively creating a score for a sound performance of approximately 10-15 minutes in length.

This workshop does not require any previous knowledge of electronics, only an interest and a curiosity in both sound and instrument-building.

DETAILS/REGISTRATION

http://www.artisticworkshopseries.com/derek-holzer-soundboxes

VIDEOS


nonlinearity I from macumbista on Vimeo.

nonlinearity III from macumbista on Vimeo.

SoundBoxes Workshop + Performance Berlin JUL 2015 from macumbista on Vimeo.

Thank you for your kind attention.
Derek

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VIDEO: SoundBoxes Workshop + Performance Berlin JUL 2015

Posted in Documentation on November 11th, 2015 by admin

SoundBoxes Workshop + Performance Berlin JUL 2015 from macumbista on Vimeo.

SoundBoxes are small, primitive electro-acoustic instruments built from a wooden box, a speaker, a small audio amplifier and a contact microphone. During the first of two workshop days, participants learned about electricity, how it becomes sound and then how to build their own personalized SoundBoxes.

On the second day, they explored the possibilities of the SoundBoxes through a series of listening and improv exercises, with the goal of collaboratively creating the score for an immersive, surround-sound performance inspired by the works of Alvin Lucier, Pauline Oliveros, John Grzinich, David Tudor, Gordon Monahan and others, performed in a darkened room for an eyes-closed audience.

In the piece, a swarm of individual, simple sound sources such as tones and textures are modulated and moved through the space physically by the performers to create a complex sonic environment. Delicate and intimate sounds pass closely near the bodies and ears of the audience, while stronger, more extreme sounds occur at the edges of the space to give a sense of the architecture of the room and the objects in it.

More info: macumbista.net/?page_id=1897

SOUNDBOX ORCHESTRA PERFORMERS

Mert Aslantürk
Itai Bauman
Nicola Gomiero
Claire Guerin
Bethan Lloyd
Zeno Mainardi
Manami N
Rory O’Brien
Javier Salthú
Max Virnich
Ben White
Chris Zahn
Lea Zamiecka

Video by Montse Torredà Martí

18-19 July 2015, Atelier Macumba Berlin

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Berlin Circuit Bending Workshop with Tasos Stamou

Posted in Announcement on November 4th, 2015 by admin

tasos

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

Atelier Macumba presents the second public workshop in our Berlin-Lichtenberg studio with London circuit-bending master Tasos Stamou. An introduction to hardware hacking which provides a practical and theoretical background in modifying and alternative electronic instrument design techniques using recycled electronics. It is suitable for beginners, as well as to more experienced hackers and sound explorers who wish to push forward their ideas and projects of innovative sound interfaces.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

– Learn all the necessary techniques to turn ‘hackable’ electronic sound toys into useful sonic devices and experimental electronic music instruments.
– Participants will design an experimental music instrument and take it home!
– Practical, hands-on workshop, including all tips to the most common and effective circuit bending modifications.
– Theoretical introduction to handmade electronic instruments, including historical context and presentation of contemporary artists utilizing DIY electronics.
– Participants are welcome to bring their own electronic toys for hacking, otherwise “hackable” toys will be provided from a large selection. Please contact us with any questions regarding “hackability” of your own devices.
– Workshop participants will have the chance to perform with their own hacked instruments as members of an improvised circuit bending ensemble after the workshop completion.

COST & REGISTRATION

EUR 40 (including one sound machine, all material and components)

Participation in this workshop is by PRE-REGISTRATION ONLY to stamouinstruments@gmail.com.

Location and further details will be provided upon registration.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Tasos Stamou is a sound artist, a dedicated circuit bender and an instrument modifier/designer. He is an active member of music tech communities (Music Hackspace & Hackspace London, Hellenic Electroacoustic Music Composers Association). He has been utilizing his hacked creations into various performances (such as at the BENT Festival, New York) and recordings of obscure electronica ( Absurd, Triple Bathe, Orila, Lal Lal Lal, Kukuru Recordings). He has been leading hardware hacking workshops in festivals (Green Man Festival, SOTU Festival Lithuania, Athens Video Art Festival, NXNW Festival in Cologne, etc.) and music tech labs (Macumbista Studio in Berlin, Cafe Oto, Music Hackspace and Noise=Noise in London, STPLN in Sweden, WORM in Rotterdam, etc.).

MORE INFO

www.tasosstamou.info
stamouinstruments.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/events/189530831383322/

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SOUNDBOXES WORKSHOP FOR KIDS AND ADULTS, Heerleen NL 2-4 SEPT

Posted in Announcement on August 26th, 2015 by admin

soundbox-LAK fest

2 SEPTEMBER – FOR KIDS
13:00 tot 18:00 (in consultation times may be extended)
age: 10-17
max. 12 participants
€ 10,00 euro p/p

3 + 4 SEPTEMBER – FOR ADULTS
12:00 tot 18:00 (in consultation times may be extended)
age: 18+
max. 12 participants
€ 20,00 euro p/p

4 SEPTEMBER – MACUMBISTA PERFORMANCE BY DEREK HOLZER + GROUP PERFORMANCE PARTICIPANTS WORKSHOP
open 20:30 | start 21.00
age: all ages
€ 7,50 euro p/p

LOCATION: kuS, Willemstraat 91a, Heerlen, NL
REGISTER: http://cultura-nova.nl/artiest/302/hear-ism-kus.html

2 SEPTEMBER – FOR KIDS
On this day we will briefly learn basics about electricity, how it becomes sound and then we will focus on how to build the Soundboxes themselves. In the final part of the workshop we will look at the possibilities of the Soundboxes through a series of listening and improv exercises. We will do this by jamming and improvising all together, working towards a collective performance of approximately 15-20 minutes in length. With all the experience gained during this day you will be the owner of your personal customized audio device – the soundbox – and taking home the experience to be able to make exciting sounds with it.

3 + 4 SEPTEMBER – FOR ADULTS
This workshop is divided in two days. During the first day, we will learn about electricity, how it becomes sound and then how to build the Soundboxes themselves. On the second day, we will explore the possibilities of the Soundboxes through a series of listening and improv exercises, with the goal of collaboratively creating a score for a sound performance of approximately 15-20 minutes in length. This piece will be presented at the end of the second day.

On September 3 the participants and the artist will discuss if the workshop can be extended both days with also the possibility to start earlier on September 4. This at the request of the artist to obtain a better end result desired for the participants.

4 SEPTEMBER – MACUMBISTA PERFORMANCE BY DEREK HOLZER + GROUP PERFORMANCE PARTICIPANTS WORKSHOP
Derek Holzer will play his ‘Macumbista’ performance + participants Soundboxes Workshop 3 and 4 september will jam together.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
Discover the hidden sonic qualities of objects from our everyday world in this hands-on workshop, combining the arts of electronics, sound and performance. SoundBoxes are small, primitive electro-acoustic instruments built from a wooden box, a speaker, a small audio amplifier and a contact microphone. They can create a variety of drone and reverb-type sounds through feedback between the speaker and microphone, as seen in this video (https://vimeo.com/34477093). Or they can bring out the hidden sounds found within everyday objects as seen in this video (https://vimeo.com/16567547). They also have small touch points which can be used to produce a variety of ‘crackle box’ and ‘circuit bending’ sounds.

This workshop does not require any previous knowledge of electronics, only an interest and a curiosity in both sound and instrument-building. Further information and images can be found here: http://macumbista.net/?page_id=1897

WHAT TO BRING YOURSELF
* One loudspeaker (new, second-hand or salvaged), or one old electronic device containing a functioning loudspeaker of decent size (approx 90mm or larger) which we can remove. The size of this loudspeaker will determine the tone and loudness of your instrument – bigger is usually better. Look in old radios, electronic clocks, hi-fi systems, boomboxes or car audio systems for your own unique speaker!
* A cigar box or similar wooden box to create the instrument. The box should be big enough to hold your speaker, and the lid must not be thicker than 5mm.

Alternately, I will have cigar boxes and loudspeakers for sale if you cannot locate your own.

Participants may also wish to bring their own found objects and images to create a unique audiovisual cabinet of curiosities. Some guitar effect pedals can also make the box more interesting.

All other materials and tools will be provided.

ABOUT DEREK HOLZER
Derek Holzer (1972) is an American instrument builder and sound artist based in Berlin DE, whose current interests include DIY analog electronics, the relationship between sound + space, media archaeology and the meeting points of electroacoustic, noise, improv and extreme music. He has performed live, taught workshops and created scores of unique instruments and installations since 2002 across Europe, North and South America, and New Zealand.
In 2014 he received a working grant from the Foundation of Lower Saxony at the Edith-Russ-Haus for Media Art in Oldenburg, Germany.

http://macumbista.net/

The workshops and performance are a coproduction between:
Cultura Nova http://cultura-nova.nl/artiest/302/hear-ism-kus.html
(kuS) Kunstencentrum Signe http://www.kunstencentrumsigne.nl
and Hear Experimentalaudioresearch http://www.h-ear.org

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Tour Dates SEPT-OCT 2015

Posted in Announcement on August 14th, 2015 by admin

start-a-band-frame-full

My autumn tour plans from the Low Lands to the Wild Wild West to the Great White North are 100% finalized! Hope to see some of y’alls in some of these here places….

02-04 SEPT:::SoundBoxes workshop + Macumbista live, (kuS) Kunstencentrum Signe, Heerlen, NL

22-26 SEPT:::SoundBoxes workshop + A.LIVE performance (w/ Vanessa Ramos-Velasquez), The Paseo, Taos NM, USA

01 OCT:::SoundBoxes Workshop, University of Colorado, Boulder CO, USA

02-03 OCT:::SoundBoxes workshop, Rubin Center for the Visual Arts, El Paso TX, USA

05-15 OCT:::ToolMaker Residency, Signal Culture, Owego NY, USA

19-23 OCT:::Experimental Sound Instruments workshop, MediaLab/Aalto University, Helsinki, FI

26-30 OCT:::SoundBoxes workshops, Hola folkhögskola, Prästmon Västernorrland, SE

I would also like to announce that Ruth Timmermans has taken up my booking activities as of AUG 2015. Please contact her at THECULTURALOPERATOR at_the_domain GMAIL dot COM for workshop, lecture and concert engagements.

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SoundBoxes Orchestra Performance Berlin 19 JUL 2015

Posted in Announcement on July 13th, 2015 by admin

DerekHolzer-40

SoundBoxes Orchestra Performance
19 JUL 2015
Atelier Macumba
HB55 Kunstfabrik, Herzbergstrasse 55 (Eingang B)
Berlin-Lichtenberg
Tram M8, 21: Herzbergstr/Siegfriedstr
18:00 PÜNKTLICH!!!!

The participants in the SoundBoxes Workshop will present an immersive, surround-sound experience inspired by the works of Alvin Lucier, Pauline Oliveros, John Grzinich, David Tudor, Gordon Monahan and others, performed in a darkened room for an eyes-closed audience. In the piece, a swarm of individual, simple sound sources such as tones and textures are modulated and moved through the space physically by the performers to create a complex sonic environment. Delicate and intimate sounds pass closely near the bodies and ears of the audience, while stronger, more extreme sounds occur at the edges of the space to give a sense of the architecture of the room and the objects in it.

PLEASE ARRIVE AT 18:00 SHARP FOR THIS PERFORMANCE!

And then stick around for IPAs and a chance to demo some of the Macumbista sound instruments.

TIMETABLE

18:00: SoundBoxes Orchestra Performance (limited places!)
19:00: Derek Holzer vs Jeroen Vandsande “Duelling Benjolins”
20:00: SoundBoxes Orchestra Performance (limited places!)

SOUNDBOX ORCHESTRA PERFORMERS

Mert Aslantürk
Itai Bauman
Nicola Gomiero
Claire Guerin
Bethan Lloyd
Zeno Mainardi
Montse Torredà Martí
Manami N
Rory O’Brien
Javier Salthú
Max Virnich
Ben White
Chris Zahn
Lea Zamiecka

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Berlin SoundBoxes Workshop 18-19 July 2015

Posted in Announcement on July 8th, 2015 by admin

soundbox-repair

SOUNDBOXES WORKSHOP

Discover the hidden sonic qualities of objects from our everyday world in this hands-on workshop, combining the arts of electronics, sound and performance.

SoundBoxes are small, primitive electro-acoustic instruments built from a wooden box, a speaker, a small audio amplifier and a contact microphone. They can create a variety of drone and reverb-type sounds through feedback between the speaker and microphone, as seen in this video. Or they can bring out the hidden sounds found within everyday objects as seen in this video. They also have small touchpoints which can be used to produce a variety of “crackle box” and “circuit bending” sounds.

This workshop has two parts. During the first day, we will learn about electricity, how it becomes sound and then how to build the SoundBoxes themselves. On the second day, we will explore the possibilities of the SoundBoxes through a series of listening and improv exercises, with the goal of collaboratively creating a score for a sound performance of approximately 15-20 minutes in length. This piece will be presented at the end of the second day.

This workshop does not require any previous knowledge of electronics, only an interest and a curiosity in both sound and instrument-building.

Further information and images can be found here: http://macumbista.net/?page_id=1897

WHAT TO BRING

* One loudspeaker (new, second-hand or salvaged), or one old electronic device containing a functioning loudspeaker of decent size (approx 90mm or larger) which we can remove. The size of this loudspeaker will determine the tone and loudness of your instrument – bigger is usually better. Look in old radios, electronic clocks, hi-fi systems, boomboxes or car audio systems for your own unique speaker!

* A cigar box or similar wooden box to create the instrument. The box should be big enough to hold your speaker, and the lid must not be thicker than 5mm.

Alternately, I will have cigar boxes and loudspeakers for sale if you cannot locate your own.

Participants may also wish to bring their own found objects and images to create a unique audiovisual cabinet of curiosities. Some guitar effect pedals can also make the box more interesting.

All other materials and tools will be provided.

WORKSHOP COSTS

* Basic SoundBox + two workshop days: EUR 40 You can see examples of this SoundBox here: http://macumbista.net/?p=3457

* FuzzTone SoundBox (with integrated distortion effect, for advanced builders) + two workshop days: EUR 55. There are limited materials for this type of box! You can see examples of this SoundBox here: http://macumbista.net/?p=3988

* Vintage wooden cigar box (if needed): EUR 5

* 92mm loudspeaker (if needed): EUR 3.

BASIC SCHEDULE

SAT 18 JULY 13:00-18:00: introduction and box-building
SUN 19 JULY 14:00-18:00: improvisation, score-creation and rehearsal
SUN 19 JULY 18:00-19:00: performance (invite your friends!)

LOCATION

Atelier Macumba, Herzbergstr 55 (Eingang B), Berlin-Lichtenberg

REGISTRATION

Pre-register for this workshop by sending an email with the subject “BERLIN SOUNDBOX WORKSHOP” to MACUMBISTA at the domain GMAIL dot COM. Please indicate whether you would like to build the Basic SoundBox or the FuzzTone SoundBox.

fuzztone soundbox by charlotte rauth-01

Institut für Klangforschung-33

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