Listen with headphones to enjoy the immersive surround  sound worlds of this album!

H.E.A.D. (Hearing Entirely Artificial Dreams)is a work-in-progress based on artificial head technology ("Kunstkopf-Stereophonie) which allows the transmission of spatial 3D sound over simple headphones. Each piece of this collection is dedicated to a specific location, based on four typical soundscapes that have been found there. Those recordings are mixed algorithmically by a computer program written by Karlheinz Essl in Max8 which creates an infinite process.

All recordings are captured with the Sennheiser Ambeo Smart Headset and processed afterwards with Max8 and RTC-lib.
© 2018 by Karlheinz Essl

Info

H.E.A.D. (Hearing Entirely Artificial Dreams) - Generative Binaural Soundscapes (2018 ff.)

NB: Listen with headphones to enjoy the immersive sound of this piece.

Generative soundscape based on a random walk between four binaural recordings from different spots in the city of Graz, Austria: 1) farmers market near the Opera, 2) street crossing at the Stadtpark with cars, motorbikes and bicycles, 3) trams, busses and passengers at Jakominiplatz, 4) birds and a creek in the park of the Music University with a distant vibraphone.

Soundscapes recorded on April 19th, 2018 with Sennheiser Ambeo Headset. Generative software written in Max7 with objects from my RTC-lib.
© 2018 by Karlheinz Essl

H.E.A.D.

G.R.A.Z.

G.R.A.Z. (Generic Research on Ambient Zones) - BINAURAL

NB: Listen with headphones to enjoy the immersive sound of this piece!

Generative soundscape based on a random walk between four binaural recordings from different spots in the city of Vienna, Austria: 1) Café Mozart near the Opera 2) reading hall of the Austrian National Library, 3) children’s playground at Draschepark, 4) pond near Gerasdorf with swimmer and kids.

Soundscapes recorded between March and April 2018 with Sennheiser Ambeo Headset. Generative software written in Max7 with objects from Karlheinz Essl's RTC-lib.
© 2018 by Karlheinz Essl

W.I.E.N.

W.I.E.N. (Where Intelligence Enhances Neuroticism) - BINAURAL

NB: Listen with headphones to enjoy the immersive sound of this piece!

Generative soundscape based on a random walk between four binaural recordings from different spots in the region of Retz, Austria: 1) the main square in the city of Retz 2) Czech people talking in a bar in Šatov 3) birds singing near the river Thaya, 4) a so-called "Kellergasse" in Retz.

Soundscapes recorded on June 8th, 2018 with Sennheiser Ambeo Headset. Generative software written in Max7 with objects from Karlheinz Essl's RTC-lib.
© 2018 by Karlheinz Essl

R.E.T.Z.

R.E.T.Z. (Restoring Energy Through Zest) - BINAURAL

NB: Listen with headphones to enjoy the immersive sound of this piece!

Generative soundscape based on a random walk between four binaural recordings from different spots of the Danube Delta in Romania: 1) morning atmosphere near Sulina 2) evening atmosphere near Sulina 3) frog concert with paddle boats in Canal Magearu, 4)birds singing at Lacu Iaco.

Soundscapes recorded in May 2018 with Sennheiser Ambeo Headset. Generative software written in Max7 with objects from Karlheinz Essl's RTC-lib.
© 2018 by Karlheinz Essl

D.U.N.A.

D.U.N.A. (Diluted Units of Natural Atmosphere) - BINAURAL

NB: Listen with headphones to enjoy the immersive sound of this piece!

Generative soundscape based on a random walk between four binaural recordings made at Lunz, Austria on Aug 7th, 2018: 1) hikers escaping an approaching thunderstorm 2) rain and thunder at the courtyard of the castle 3) swimming in the lake, 4) ride on an electric canoe through a narrow water canal.

Soundscapes recorded with Sennheiser Ambeo Headset. Generative software written in Max7 with objects from Karlheinz Essl's RTC-lib.
© 2018 by Karlheinz Essl

L.U.N.Z.

L.U.N.Z. (Lazy Unicorns Nibble Zealously) - BINAURAL

NB: Listen with headphones to enjoy the immersive sound of this piece!

Generative soundscape based on a random walk between four binaural soundscapes recorded at the Prater, a famous amusement park in Vienna, Austria on Aug 11th, 2018: 1) Achterbahn (outside recording of a rollercoaster) 2) Hochschaubahn (riding on an vintage rollercoaster which is suited for kids) 3) Geisterbahn (a ride on a ghost train) 4) Liliputbahn (a ride on miniature steam locomotive through the park).

R.I.D.E.

R.I.D.E. (Rough Interplay of Dream & Ecstasy)- BINAURAL

Listen with headphones to enjoy the immersive sound of this piece!

Generative soundscape based on a random walk between four binaural soundscapes recorded at the river Thaya (Czech: "Dyje") in Austria in June and August 2018: 1) Thaya in Liebnitz, 2) Thaya National Park, 3) church bell from Hardegg, 4) water noise of a fish bassin

Info: http://www.essl.at/works/HEAD.html

D.Y.J.E.

D.Y.J.E. (Do-it Yourself Jealous Emperor)- BINAURAL

NB: Listen with headphones to experience the immersive surround sound!

Generative soundscape based on a random walk between four binaural soundscapes recorded in June and August 2018: 1) walking through the Essl Museum 2) two persons marching and running in a reverberant hall 3)a gallery with Rubens paintings at the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna 4) walking through the forest of the Thaya National Park.

W.A.L.K.

W.A.L.K. (What About Luscious Kidneys?) - BINAURAL

Binaural recording - listen with headphones!

Generative soundscape based on a random walk between four binaural soundscapes recorded between May and August 2018:

1) unloading a truck at the Danube delta in Romania
2) two luthiers (father and son) building a Braguinha in Funchal, Madeira
3) me preparing breakfast at home
4) a construction site in the outskirts of Vienna where a caterpillar is operating a jackhammer.

W.O.R.K.

W.O.R.K. (Which Operations Require Knives?) - BINAURAL

Binaural recording. Listen with headphones to enjoy the immersive surround sound!

Generative soundscape based on a random walk between four binaural soundscapes recorded between February and August 2018: 

1) british-portugese small talk at the breakfast terrace of a hotel in Madeira
2) multi-lingual guests at a Chinese restaurant in Vienna
3) art education talk for schoolgirls at Kunsthalle Bremen
4) two elderly Viennese couples at the Lobau making jokes.

C.H.A.T.

C.H.A.T. (Cryonic Heat at Average Temperature) - BINAURAL

Listen with headphones to enjoy the immersive 3D sound!

Generative soundscape based on a random walk between four binaural soundscapes, recorded in March and April 2018 in Vienna:

1) main hall of the railway station Wien-Meidling
2) a ride on the D tram
3) entrance of the Franz-Josephs-Bahnhof
4) escalator of the metro station U4 Heiligenstadt with a violin player in the background

B.A.H.N.

B.A.H.N. (Binaural Ambient Head Noise) - BINAURAL

Listen with headphones to enjoy the surround sound!

Generative soundscape based on a random walk between four binaural soundscapes, recorded on 6 Sep 2018 at Manfred Buchinger's restaurant "Alte Schule" in Riedenthal, Austria:
1) kitchen with chef, 2) guests in the garden outside the restaurant, 3) an empty guest room, 4) bathroom.

M.E.A.L.

M.E.A.L. (Meeting Eva At Lunch) - BINAURAL

Binaural recording - listen with headphones!

Generative soundscape based on a random walk between four binaural soundscapes, recorded between May and September 2018 on various European airports: 

1) check-in at Terminal 1 of the Vienna International Airport (VIE)
2) entrance hall of the railway station at the Vienna International Airport (VIE)
3) arrival hall of the Henri Coandă International Airport Bucarest (OTP)
4) riding on a conveyor belt between gate C6 and C8 at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)

F.L.U.G.

F.L.U.G. (Frequent Luggage User Gateway) - BINAURAL

Binaural recording - listen with headphones!

Generative soundscape based on a random walk between four binaural soundscapes, recorded in September 2018 at Lake Garda, Italy: 1) evening at the lake promenade in Saló with thunder and bells, 2) shore of Garda with anchored sailing boats, 3) beach of Sirmione with members of a Chinese family, 4) fountain in the park of Vittoriale in Gardone.

Info: http://www.essl.at/works/HEAD.html

L.A.G.O.

L.A.G.O. (Liquids Are Generally Obstructive) - BINAURAL

Binaural recording - listen with headphones!

ASMR-like generative soundscape based on a two-dimensional random walks between four binaural soundscapes, recorded by Simon Essl on Oct 6th, 2018 in Klosterneuburg, Austria: 1) morning routine, 2) departure, 3) silence in the forest 4) domestic work.

L.I.F.E.

L.I.F.E. (Looking Into Four Environments) - BINAURAL

Binaural recording - listen with headphones!

Generative soundscape based on a two-dimensional random walk between four binaural soundscapes, recorded between Oct 25th and 27th, 2018 in Oslo, Norway: 1) place in front of the Royal castle, 2) street crossing with lots of trams but nearly no cars in the very center, 3) Glasmagasinet department store, 4) small café  "Anne på landet" in the Vigelands park.

O.S.L.O.

O.S.L.O. (Obvious Sounds Linger Obviously) - BINAURAL

Binaural recording - listen with headphones!

Generative soundscape based on a two-dimensional random walk between four binaural soundscapes, recorded between November 8-9th, 2018 in Mittersill - a small town in Salzburg, Austria where Anton Webern has been shot by an American GI on 15 Sep 1945:

1) my generative sound installation "WebernUhrWerk" played on the main square, surrounded by traffic, 
2) the grave of Anton Webern at the cemetery of Mittersill, 
3) snuffling cows on a meadow with cow bells, 
4) a silent spot on a pasture on top of Mittersill.

S.I.L.L.

S.I.L.L. (Sounds Intercept Little Lovers) - BINAURAL

Binaural recording - listen with headphones!

Generative soundscape based on a two-dimensional random walks between four binaural soundscapes, recorded on November 16th, 2018 at the traditional Leopoldimarkt in Klosterneuburg:  1) a verbose merchant selling his cooking knives, 2) distant sounds of the amusement park 3) a rehearsal on the famous Bruckner organ at the monastery 4) the gothic courtyard with a fountain.

B.U.R.G.

B.U.R.G. (Best Unifications Require Generosity)- BINAURAL

Binaural recording - listen with headphones!

Generative soundscape based on a two-dimensional random walk between four binaural soundscapes, recorded on November 5th, 2018 at the Grand Hall of Konzerthaus Vienna during project "Casino Cage" of the festival WIEN MODERN:

1) audience entering the hall, 2) sounds of the roulette table which was used to determine the sequence of pieces 3) excerpts of Luciano Berio's "Sequenza XIV" for cello solo, performed by Anna Maria Niemiec 4) excerpts of Luciano Berio's "Sequenza VII" for oboe solo, performed by Claire Colombo.

C.A.G.E.

C.A.G.E. (Casino Atmosphere Generating Empathy) - BINAURAL

Binaural recording - listen with headphones!

Generative soundscape based on a two-dimensional random walk between four binaural soundscapes, recorded on November 17th, 2018 at the premiere of Georg Nussbaumers "Atlas der gesamten Musik und aller angrenzenden Gebiete", performed by 300 students of the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna during the festival WIEN MODERN:

 1) four groups of wind instruments at the foyer 2) a walk from a clarinet quartet towards a cello ensemble at Haydnsaal 3) a salsa group alternating with and harpist Luise Adler and the so-called "piano hell" 4) people walking through the campus park.

Mit freundlicher Genehmigung des Komponisten Georg Nussbaumers, der MDW (Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien) und des Festivals WIEN MODERN.

M.A.P.S.

M.A.P.S. (Mater Alma Provides Security) - BINAURAL

Born 1960 in Vienna. Austrian composer, improviser and performer. He studied composition with Friedrich Cerha and musicology in Vienna. Besides writing experimental instrumental music, he performs on his own electronic instrument m@ze°2, develops software environments for computer-aided composition and creates generative sound and video environments. Since 2007 professor of composition for electro-acoustic and experimental music at the University of Music in Vienna.

Karlheinz Essl performs on a laptop computer that he has transformed into a live electronic musical instrument. The result is exciting and musical. You just won't hear these sounds anywhere else. He performs solo and in duets and trios, responding with sensitivity to fellow musicians, producing fascinating sound transformations, creating spontaneous surprises, and moving quickly from loops to cacophony to tiny clips of vocal sounds to all kinds of textures and ideas. He does all this with his m@ze°2(Modular Algorithmic Zound Environment) performance software. (Joel Chadabe, CDeMusic, Januar 2002)
