Performing Electronic Music Live

Kirsten Hermes is an interdisciplinary researcher, book author, senior lecturer, violinist and audio-visual artist, bridging scientific and creative domains in her work. She tours internationally under the moniker Nyokeë, integrating the iconic sound of retro games consoles into high-energy electropop tracks, accompanied by her moving graphics. Together with Joe Smith, she is also in a hybrid neoclassical and electronic band called Emb:re.Kirsten holds a PhD in sound perception from the University of Surrey (UK), which was funded by the British Engineering and Physical Sciences Council. She also holds a Masters Degree in Audio Production from the University of Westminster. Kirsten regularly publishes interdisciplinary book chapters and academic papers, combining scientific and technical knowledge with creative practice.

• Chapter 1 – General Advice1. The concept2. Confidence and preparation2.1 Effective rehearsal2.2 Dealing with stage fright2.3 Stepping into the performance persona2.4 Using feedback and being prepared for rejection3. Quality of the production4. Factors that determine the setup choice4.1 The music – genre and composition4.2 The act – personality, motivation and skills4.3 Band members and skills4.4 The performance situation4.4.1 The audience4.4.2 The venue and playback system4.4.3 Risk4.4.4 Budget4.4.5 Need for portabilityTutorial and takeaway points5. ReferencesChapter 2 – DAWs and Controllers1. Non-linearity of time2. Overview of performance DAWs2.1 Ableton Live2.2 Bitwig2.3 Maschine2.4 Logic Pro X2.5 Motu Digital Performer2.6 FL studio2.7 Standalone hardware DAW equivalents3. Plugging in hardware3.1 Live arrangement3.2 One-shots and finger drumming3.3 Performing on software instruments3.4 Controlling audio effects3.5 Other external hardware4. Prepared musical material and live recording5. Collaboration6. Randomness and generative approaches7. Customising the performance interface8. Performing live in more studio-oriented DAWs9. Working with visuals10. Recording the showTutorialFrom a complex studio production to an intuitive live setLooping clipsOne-shotsFollow actionsLive effectsLive keys and vocalsVisuals11. Takeaway pointsReferencesInterview with Robert HenkeChapter 3 – MIDI and CV Performance Controllers1. CV/GATE2. The MIDI protocol2.1 MIDI messages in the MIDI 1 protocol2.2 MIDI 2.03. Types of performance controllers3.1 Buttons3.2 Continuous signals: knobs, faders, sliders3.3 Controllers that resemble traditional musical instruments.3.4 Modular controllers3.5 Motion-controlled performance hardware3.6 Turning non-musical hardware into MIDI controllers3.7 MIDI Polyphonic Expression3.8 Sequencers3.9 Clock signals and MIDI routingTutorial4. Takeaway pointsReferencesChapter 4 – DJing and Turntablism1. A short history of DJing2. Types of DJ in the present day2.1 Touring artist-DJs2.2 Resident DJs2.3 Mobile event DJs2.4 Radio DJs2.5 Online DJ-producers3. DJ techniques3.1 Mixing techniques and turntablism3.2 Virtuoso turntablism3.3 Effects and audio processing3.4 Programming4. DJ tools available today4.1 DJ software and hardware controllers4.2 CDJs4.3 Going retro: using Vinyl for DJing4.4 Headphones, monitors and microphones4.5 Streaming tracks from online platformsTutorial: three DJ setups presented by Dan MurrayPreparationDJ skills and techniquesBeatmatching on vinylGetting creative on CDJsWorking with a hybrid setupPerformance styles5. Takeaway pointsReferencesInterview with Alex M.O.R.P.HChapter 5 - Incorporating Acoustic Instruments and Vocals 1. Traditional instruments in electronic music2. Fusion genres3. Live instruments and vocals that are not on the record4. Instruments that are on the record but not on stage5. Microphones and DI boxes6. Effects and sound manipulation6.1 Vocal effects processing6.2 Vocoders and talk boxes6.3 Effects for other instrumentsTutorial – generated live vocal harmonies, violin and synth7. Takeaway pointsReferencesInterview with Matt RobertsonChapter 6 – Live Synthesis and Sound Design1. Synthesis technology1.1 Synthesis techniques1.1.1 Additive synthesis1.1.2 Subtractive synthesis1.1.3 FM synthesis1.1.4 Waveshaping synthesis1.1.5 Sampling1.1.6 Granular synthesis1.1.7 Wavetable synthesis1.1.8 Physical modelling synthesis1.2 Controls typically found on commercial synthesizers1.2.1 Oscillators1.2.2 Amplifier1.2.3 Amplitude envelope1.2.4 Filters1.2.5 Modulation1.2.6 Clock1.2.7 Effects, sequencing and arpeggiators1.2.8 Playback controls2. A rich history of artists shaping their sound through synthesis2.1 Retro-leaning synths used by current artists3. A brief history of sampling4. Using synths and samplers on stage4.1 Playing live on hardware synthesizers and samplers4.1.1 Choosing hardware synths4.1.2 Working with pre-programmed sequences4.1.3 Modular synthesizers on stage4.2 Performing live with software synthesizersTutorial5. Takeaway pointsReferencesChapter 7 – Performing without a Laptop1. Building blocks of a laptop-free setup1.1 Sound sources1.2 Control signal generators1.2.1 Clock signal generators1.3 Control signal routing tools1.4 Sound processors and effects1.5 Mixers2. All-in-one hardware tools3. Cabling and connectionsTutorial: a modular synthesizer setup (Matt Gooderson)Modular SystemsComponents of the Hardware SetupMelodyRhythmSound SourcesUtility ModulesMultipleQuantiserSample and HoldMixerAudio ModifiersComposition and Performance4. Takeaway pointsReferencesChapter 8 – Programming Custom Performance Tools1. Getting started with programming1.1 What is a program?1.2 What programming language should you learn?2. Inspiring artist examples2.1 Complete playback solutions2.2 Effects plug-ins and software instruments2.3 Expanding the functionality of hardware2.4 Automatic performance tools2.5 Letting the outside environment control the soundTutorial: introducing BBC R&D’s Audio Orchestrator, featuring Jon Francombe and Stephen DavismoonHow does Audio Orchestrator work?The Sequences pageThe Controls pageThe Audio pageThe Appearance pageThe Export page3. Patch It: modular music programming environments3.1 Max/MSP3.2 Pure Data3.3 Other node-based programming environments3.4 Node-based programming in action3.4.1 Effects processing3.4.2 Generative music3.4.3 Sampling and sequencing3.4.4 Working with external hardware3.4.5 Theatre showsTutorial: generative music in Max / MSP, featuring Francesc Moya SerraFirst steps and audio outputMetronome and timingSound triggering with the select objectUsing MIDI notes to perform on a VST synthRandom pitches in a subpatchAdding further complexityRandom note velocities and durationsModulating synthesis parametersFitting the random note pitches to a musical scalePercussionThe performance GUI4. Live coding: making EDM with algorithmsTutorial: an introduction to SuperCollider, featuring Eli FieldsteelThe interfaceGetting startedOscillator UGensCross-fading between soundsWorking with pre-recorded audio samplesWhat else is possible in SuperCollider?5. Takeaway PointsReferencesInterview with Holly HerndonChapter 9 – Building Custom Hardware Tools1. New instruments built from scratch2. The human body as musical instrument3. Adding functionality to existing instruments4. Performing music on toys and household items5. How can you get started?Tutorial: Optical Theremin inside a Game Boy Shell with Rainbow Trash (Dominique Pelletier)What you will needCasingElectronicsTesting connectionsSoldering connectionsClosing up the caseOther things you can do...6. Takeaway pointsReferencesChapter 10 – The Performance Setting1. Common live sound technology2. The soundcheck3. Live sound mixing4. Spaces4.1 Arenas and stadiums4.2 Large Festivals4.3 Nightclubs4.4 Warehouse raves4.5 Concert halls4.6 Outdoor theatres4.7 Small and intimate shows4.8 Controlled acoustic spaces4.9 Installations4.10 Remote settings and streamingTutorial: a large redundancy playback rig, featuring Steven MasseyStems for playbackUninterruptible power supplyRedundancy playback rigOutput routing via a split rackThe monitor mixThe live mix5. Takeaway pointsReferencesInterview with Laura EscudéChapter 11 – Stage Design and Visual Parameters1. Tools for creating visual interest1.1 Moving visuals1.2 Lighting1.3 Dancing and acting1.4 Fashion1.5 Stage design2. What determines the choice of visual stage parameters?2.1 Artist identity2.2 Visual parameters that convey a narrative2.3 Creating an abstract connection between what is seen and heard2.4 Amplifying performance parametersTutorial 3. Takeaway pointsReferencesChapter 12 – Planning and Promotion1. Music branding principles1.1 Artist identity1.2 Target audience2. Creating marketing materials2.1 Visual materials2.2 Biography2.3 Press release2.4 Website2.4.1 A clear representation of the artist image2.4.2 Layout and content2.4.3 Search engine optimization2.5 Social media2.6 Hardcopy marketing materials3. Networking and gig opportunitiesTutorial: music industry Dos and Don’ts presented by Woody van EydenWhere am I now?Where do I want to be?What do I need to do to get there?Who can help me?What should I do in terms of networking?4. Takeaway pointsReferencesChapter 13 – Conclusion1 What do electronic musicians do on stage?2 What constitutes a great electronic music performance?3 How do I choose the concept for my show?3.1 A compelling Performance persona3.2 Virtuosic skills3.3 Technical know-how3.4 A compelling performance setting3.5 Liveness3.6 Core values3.7 Visual interest4 What does my audience expect?5 I am quite shy but I would like to perform live. What can I do?6 I cannot play any instruments or sing. Can I still perform live?7 Should I be a solo artist or form a band?8 What kind of tools do I need to perform electronic music live?9 There are so many different options. What is the right setup for me?10 Who creates electronic performance equipment?11 Where can I try out and buy performance equipment?12 I produce music in a DAW. How can I turn this into a live show?13 Should my live show sound like my record?14 What does "live" mean? Should every sound be created in the moment, or are backing tracks acceptable?15 Is it bad to mime and pretend that I am doing something on stage when I am not?16 I have never produced any music. Where do I begin?17 How should I prepare for my show?17.1 Practice17.2 Sound check17.3 Feedback18 How can I find gig opportunities?Thank you!