Radical Nails

Within the frame of an ongoing series of works exploring software
which exposes its own process (such as self [link]), stack overflow
renders audible program (over) flow and control. As the name suggests
the (execution or call) stack can be visualised as a pile of data;
when a subroutine is called information such as where the routine
should return to when its completed, is piled on the stack. A stack
overflow occurs when the stack grows beyond its imposed bounds,
overwriting other variables in memory and causing the machine to
crash/behave in unpredictable manners. /Stack overflow/ here is
implemented on the ATmega8 microcontroller. Future stack overflows
explore the possibilities of extending the stack overflow imaginary
into everyday life.

Stackoverflow1

Computer music with live configuration editing. Source code in Java: https://www.dropbox.com/s/h72xil9b7fcn665/Twitch.zip?dl=0. Performed at a concert in Rosentkrantzgade 1, Aarhus, on 11th of April 2015, and at a private concert at Andrew D's place in Aarhus the night before.

Java Concert #1 - Superstorm (Excerpt)

Colossus is a miniature hybrid digital/analogue device designed around a PIC microprocessor that can be programmed and live coded using one knob and one tactile button, and a voltage-controlled analogue feedback circuit. The aim of Colossus was to develop a device that questioned the relationship between coding and sound generation, and to explore performance through tangible and collective coding. There was also an attempt to consider how a reductionist approach (imposed limitations) to instrument control/design could shape a particular performance style/creative output. Moving between read and write modes (using the button) gives a musical characteristic where tension exists between periodic, looped rhythmic patterns and freer gestures derived from ‘knobbing’. The title of the device/piece is taken from the gigantic mainframe computer of Bletchley Park that is considered to be the first digital programmable computer. Initial work for Colossus was developed for projects with the University of Birmingham and the Culture Lab, Newcastle in 2015.

Duet for Colossus – sketch #1

More sounds from the 57mm synth



57mm wavetable synth/artwork pcb … political texts, protests and manifesto embedded in a microprocessor. Built-in mic and touch control. With Dirty Electronics for Noisexistance Festival, Kampnagel, Hamburg 2018.

57mm pulses

mute 4.0. Two runs, L and R. Original pic chip firmware.

Mute4.0_A

I make loud, quiet and silly noises, perform strange activities, and make Things that I use for these goals.

Mute4.0_A

maxwainwright