what is pipeSound?
pipeSound is an interactive musical instrument that can be used in various ways. It is made up of modules, which consist of pipes. Each module is a self-contained acoustic body. The player is able to create and store their own sounds in each module. The user can then manipulate their sounds and play them once or loop them. It is the human voice that gives pipeSound its distinctive sound. pipeSound can not be clearly categorized, though it fits into various music genres and styles. One can either create rhythmic structures or spherical sound collages or combine electronic beats with vocal parts, all the while discovering new sound experiences. Especially at live electronic music performance, when the sound is often created by people hidden behind turntables/cd players, laptops, mixers. pipeSound offers an alternative by creating a visual and haptic experience. Therefore we decided to give pipeSound its distinctive and sculptural form.
pipeSound in between live performance and exhibition
On the one hand pipeSound can be enjoyed rather passively as part of the audience on the other hand up to five users can play on it together. When performed there is no limit to the players‘ imagination. pipeSound can be part of a band or orchestra but also played as a solo instrument. Within the exhibition context users can take an active part in creating sound collages together with others, or by themselves. It‘s very easy to learn how to play pipeSound, even in a short amount of time. pipeSound invites people to make music collaborative and add there
individual tracks. With just a little bit of practice it is possible to create a satisfying piece of music. After being introduced to a few steps (»how to play pipeSound« 01-04 ) everyone is able to play with its main features.
previous pipeSound experience
pipeSound was exhibited for the first time at the campus2.0 exhibition during the Ars Electronica Festival 2007, in Linz, Austria.
The visitors were very excited about the installation that offered them room to improvise and enjoy its playful character. The main focus was on the experimental use of the human voice. People discovered how to collaborate and improvise together and we observed that there was some kind of non-verbal communication between the users. They worked together like a group of musicians who are improvising.
Besides the sound experience there were a lot of interesting discussions about the idea behind pipeSound. The way it is used, thoughts about it as a performance piece, its technical background and its sculptural appearance. Not only did the visitors seem to love the installation, but pipeSound was among the four exhibition pieces to receive an award from the jury of the exhibition.
Sponsored by: Georg Fischer: www.georgfischer.com | Prodesign: www.prodesign.cc
who created pipeSound?
Lukas Rettenbacher (on the right) and Thomas Wagner (left) have already worked together for a couple of years Together they have realized many projects in the field of graphic design and web design. pipeSound is their first interactive piece of work.
Lukas works as an freelance graphic designer and Thomas studies Interface Culture at the Art University in Linz. Thomas took over the programming and electronics of pipeSound, while Lukas designed its shape and appearance. Discourse and the creative process are very important to both of them and because of their different specialties they complement each other.