Concert at The LAB

A very interesting concert/demo at The Lab, a venue that reminds me a lot of our old San Francisco Tape Music Center.

http://www.thelab.org/index.htm

Here's the blurb and a few comments:

Michel Waisvisz and Robert van Heumen of STEIM will offer a free demonstration of LiSa X, STEIM's software that enables users to extensively control live-sampled and pre-recorded sounds, and junXion, which maps Human Interface Devices such as joysticks to midi. Both software packages are used by musicians, choreo-graphers, performers, installation artists and composers. There will be a Q&A following the demo for those with specific inquiries.

Pamela Z is a SF-based composer/performer who works primarily with voice, live electronic processing, sampling technology and video. In this performance she will use Max MSP patches to process her voice, and also use her live voice to trigger samples through a Max MSP pitch-to-MIDI controller and with gestures via the BodySynth. Michel Waisvisz, Joel Ryan and Robert van Heumen from STEIM/Amsterdam will team up with longtime STEIM collaborator Laetitia Sonami and SF resident Roddy Schrock to present an evening of electro-instrumental improvised music. Expect different duo/trio combinations of Michel's instrument The Hands, Laetitia's Lady's Glove, Robert's Sexy Controllers, and Roddy's SuperCollider wizardry all guided by Joel Ryan behind the mixing desk.

I was very impressed with the STEIM team's software and how it performed. The LiSa X is a user-friendly and flexible software sampler/looper/editor that I would not hesitate to purchase if I had needs in that direction. However at the moment my brain is preoccupied with the Expanded Instrument System patches from my dear friend Pauline Oliveros and her MAX/Msp wizard Stephan Moore. STEIM invites various artists to come to their lab and then helps them create their desired instruments. I was especially interested in Michel Waisvisz's performance with his two hand-held controllers that allowed him to perform/transform some very rich audio samples. I always enjoy Pamela Z's work, so it was great to catch up on her latest pieces.