Another step into the realm of non-linear feedback systems, performed on a vintage MACKIE 1604 mixing desk. A work-in-progress where I explore different kinds of interaction on an analog mixer that produces sounds only by feeding the output back into the input, changing levels and EQ settings in an instrumental way.
https://essl.at/works/studies-NIM.html
The title pays tribute to Conlon Nancarrow's famous "Studies for Player Piano," which serves as a subliminal source of inspiration and motivation to venture much further into the unknown.

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Studies for No-Input Mixer

Another step into the realm of non-linear feedback systems, performed live on a vintage MACKIE 1604 mixer. A work-in-progress where I explore different kinds of interaction on an analog mixer that produces sounds only by feeding the output back into the input, changing levels and EQ settings in an instrumental way.
Have a look at the YouTube video of this performance: https://essl.at/works/studies-NIM.html

Study for No-Input Mixer #1

Study for No-Input Mixer #1 (2023) - four voices

This piece was recorded on July 4, 2023 at Studio kHz on a vintage MACKIE 1604 mixing desk. I used 7 channels without input, with internal audio feedback, controlled by faders and knobs with amazing resolution. A fantastic playing experience, where the slightest movement of your finger can drastically change the sound.
https://essl.at/works/studies-NIM.html

Study for No-Input Mixer #2

Study for No-Input Mixer #2 (2023) - seven voices

This piece was recorded on July 4, 2023 at Studio kHz on a vintage MACKIE 1604 mixing desk. I used only 3 channels without input, with internal audio feedback, controlled by faders and knobs with amazing resolution. A fantastic playing experience, where the slightest movement of your finger can drastically change the sound.
Watch the video: https://essl.at/works/studies-NIM.html

Study for No-Input Mixer #3

Study for No-Input Mixer #3 (2023) - three voices

This piece was recorded on July 5, 2023 at Studio kHz. I used only 1 channel without input with internal audio feedback and a constant high drone as a background, controlled by faders and knobs with amazing resolution. A fantastic playing experience, where the slightest movement of your fingers can drastically change the sound.
https://essl.at/works/studies-NIM.html

Study for No-Input Mixer #4

Study for No-Input Mixer #4 (2023)- one voice

This piece was recorded on July 5, 2023 at Studio kHz on a vintage MACKIE 1604 mixing desk. I used just 2 channels without input with internal audio feedback, controlled by faders and knobs with amazing resolution. A fantastic playing experience, where the slightest movement of your fingers can drastically change the sound.
https://essl.at/works/studies-NIM.html

Study for No-Input Mixer #5

Study for No-Input Mixer #5 (2023) - two voices

Recorded on July 5, 2023 at Studio kHz on a vintage MACKIE 1604 mixing desk, patched as a no-input mixer. In this piece I used 6 channels with internal audio feedback, controlled by faders and knobs with amazing resolution. A fantastic playing experience, where the slightest movement of your fingers can drastically change the sound.
https://essl.at/works/studies-NIM.html

Study for No-Input Mixer #6

Study for No-Input Mixer #6 (2023)- six voices

Recorded on July 5, 2023 at Studio kHz on a vintage MACKIE 1604 mixing desk, patched as a no-input mixer. In this final piece I used 5 channels with internal audio feedback, controlled by faders and knobs with amazing resolution. A fantastic playing experience, where the slightest movement of your fingers can drastically change the sound.

Study for No-Input Mixer #7

Study for No-Input Mixer #7 (2023)- five voices with happy end

A new addition to my no-input mixer project that I started in 2023. Performed live with a MACKIE 802 mixing desk on Feb 8th, 2024 at Studio kHz. No edits, no overdubs.
https://www.essl.at/works/studies-NIM.html

Study for No-Input Mixer #8

Study for No-Input Mixer #8 (2024) - Blacksmith

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)
