Divertimento Ritmico for Two Synthesizers – Two Locations, and One Acoustic Network of Four Channels by Net vs. Net (Juan-Pablo Cáceres @ Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA) & Alain Renaud @ Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC)) :: November 9, 2007, 8:00 (PST) pm, CCRMA Stage, Department of Music, Stanford University, Stanford, CA :: and Sonic Arts Research Centre, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland.

This piece is a structured improvisation that explores multi-channel feedback delays on the network. The delay path between Stanford (California, USA) and SARC (Belfast, Ireland) is used as a variable feedback comb filter for each of the four channels. The rhythmic meter of the piece follows this delay path as a way of synchronization / a-synchronization between the two performers. Echoes move on a space embedded on the network path. A custom visualization tool shows the activity of the musicians on each location and also cues the different parts of the piece. We use Jacktrip, ChucK, Processing and The Network.

Net vs. Net is a collective of musicians exploring the potential of high-speed networks as a real-time performance medium. Founded by Juan-Pablo Cáceres and Alain Renaud, it takes its inspiration from the comic strip “Spy vs. Spy” as a metaphor of the “delay battle” that happens on the network between two or more geographically displaced musicians.

Juan-Pablo Cáceres is a composer, performer and engineer born in Santiago, Chile. He is currently a PhD student in computer music at Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA) in Stanford University (USA). His work includes instrumental and electronic pieces, as well as performance of avantgarde rock and pop music, with a albums edited in Europe and America. Juan-Pablo’s interests include Network music and performance (he is an active member of the SOUNDWire project), popular experimental music, boundary pushing computer music (in both directions).

Alain B. Renaud is originally from Geneva, Switzerland. Prior to embarking on PhD research in network music performance at the Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC) in Belfast in 2005, he was head of research for the London-based digital strategy consultancy, Rightscom from 2001 to 2005. While working in London he gained a MSc. in Music Information Technology from City University (2002-2004) under the supervision of Simon Emmerson. His research, which is sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) focuses on the development of networked music performance systems and the impact such systems have on the various music communities. Alain has published several papers on the subject and has organized many events with the aim to introduce networked music performance to the research community as well as the general public.