Rhythmic Topologies and the Manifold Nature of Network Music Performance
Abstract
Network music performance is no longer in its infancy. In recent years, researchers have made strides toward a more seamless approach to distributed, multi-site, realtime music performances. However, interaction over vast distances comes at the cost of latency. Today’s fiber optic infrastructure transmits data close to the speed of light, but even at light speed, our acuteness to sounds in time makes synchronous planetary-scale music performance a physical impossibility.
This research proposes a method that calibrates latency to a rhythmic unit of time, which allows for novel restructuring of pulse-based network music. The technique, called toporhythm, creates a rhythmic topology between performers that can be utilized to create distributed patterns. These patterns unfold differently in each performance space, resulting in a manifold music.
This thesis presents historical context for the work, outlines the toporhythmic technique, describes the latency calibration software tool, and surveys a selection of music composed toporhythmically.
Description
Keywords
Music, Education--Music, Education--Technology
Citation
Cayko, E. (2016). Rhythmic Topologies and the Manifold Nature of Network Music Performance (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/27665