biphase - Keynote Performance

biphase is an audiovisual collaboration that brings together the audio and visual live performance systems developed by each author. It utilises self-coded digital instruments in a collaborative visual music performance. The performance explores the sculpting, modulating and juxtaposition of primitive audio tones and visual geometries to create a hypnotic audiovisual experience. The audio, performed by James Dooley, is generated using his bespoke formuls software. It uses a bank of 6 custom 2 operator polyphonic FM synthesisers created with the Faust programming language. Combined with a sequencer created with Pure Data and a touchscreen interface created with Open Stage Control, the audio engine allows rich timbres to be sculpted and sequenced, intuitively and quickly in live performance. Notably, no presets are used, meaning that all sounds are crafted live during the structured improvisation. During the performance a combination of modulated tones and impulses emerge to create a sonic experience appearing static on the surface whilst internally dynamic. The video electronics are produced by a digital visual music instrument named morphlux and designed by Dave Payling. The complex imagery is generated from repeated and transformed geometric primitives that combine to create larger abstract structures. Colours infuse and noise modulates the shapes creating expressive visual gestures and textures that harmonise with the music. The visual instrument is coded in TouchDesigner and incorporates both audio-reactive and interactive performative elements. Parametric mapping produces reactive audio-visual modulation and tight cohesion between sound and image. Performance interaction permits the artist to interpret intuitively and freely respond to the unfolding music performance.