New technology expands horizons of global music
How do musicians in three countries play the same composition so it can be heard live by an audience? They use the new Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) and KAREN.
Technology enables new forms of musical collaboration
Composer and researcher Ian Whalley from the University of Waikato works at the edge of the electro acoustic/computer music worlds.
Using IPv6, he linked multiple digital video channels and 14 stereo digital audio channels between New Zealand, Canada and the audience at the Beijing Musicacoustica 2010 festival where the audience could hear the piece and see all the musicians on a screen. To create the performance, the music made a 30,000 kilometre round-trip via KAREN to deliver a new form of real-time music.
Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) offers significant quality and capacity over IPv4 and when combined with KAREN, enables seamless and musically usable multi-way interaction. As an IPv6 native network since its launch in 2006, KAREN has enabled its members to take a lead in implementing IPv6 capabilities and technologies in New Zealand.
KAREN’s musical future
“We’re pioneering sound-based composition, performance and machine agent approaches to real-time electro acoustic composition and performance that are suited to IPv6,” says Ian.
KAREN is a key element to making this work globally. “We have a high-speed research network being used for data intensive research, visualisation and high definition video conferencing. I thought: why couldn’t we take advantage of KAREN’s speed and advanced technology to create a new form of music?”
Associate Professor Whalley is researching ‘machine agent’ approaches to music where computers move from being controllers or reactors to active participants. “What we’re talking about is improvising music with computers in a very dynamic live performance spread across more than one country.”
“These tools and techniques will become increasing common as significantly higher-speed broadband rolls out internationally. Location and time zone will become irrelevant. Instead you will be heading out to the edge of the computer/music world with vast potential that extends beyond music to interactive, games, film and TV.”
Ian believes intelligent machines connected through networks such as KAREN will change in the way we receive and participate in music. “Once, we ‘received’ music by watching performances. When instruments became available we began to participate. New technology such as MP3 swung the pendulum back to receiving. Now, technology is opening up new opportunities to participate enabled by computers and networks such as KAREN.”
More information
Meet the University of Waikato's Ian Whalley and learn more about his musical research and performance activities.
