↪Amplitude Modulation Set, Collisions Festival 2008


↪Amplitude Modulation Set, Collisions Festival 2008


↪Amplitude Modulation Set, Collisions Festival 2008

Performance based arround the concept of amplitude modulation. The earliest experiment using the concept of AM transmission was made at Bell Laboratories – where they used a water jet to record the conversation and ambient sounds in a room and etch these to wax cylinder. C.V. Boys demonstrated the ability of a water jet to amplify the sound of a ticking clock and a tuning fork.

During the performance I placed Daphnia in a droplet placed on a sensor; the water drop created a lens. The sounds were created as the creatures passed through the laser and creating distortions with the movement of the body and antennas – as well as the effect of the creature bouncing on and off the wall of the droplet causing the lens to shake and oscillate – creating a drum like reverberation. Other Light sources such as flashing bike lights and a lighter were used to create beats and drones.

I also used a USB interface with 8 light sensors controlled by candles to generate harmonic frequencies and drones with MAX MSP.

Background
This project is based on an early experiment in sound recording, where a water jet was used to amplify and record sound to a wax cylinder. A laser (rather than a water jet) can be used to amplify & transmit minute inaudible sounds. With this technique it is possible to hear the sound of light through modulation and reflection. For example it can be used as an instrument able to detect the high frequency modulations from electronic light, and create techno beats from a bicycle light. By using a modified laser projected through a droplet of fluid - or 'Fluid lens' it is possible to create a sensitive microphone. If this lens also contains microscopic creatures, their movements will generate sound by creating distortions with the movement of their body and antennas - this lens also responds to subsonic architectural 'sound’

This idea was developed through a number of workshops; Firstly working with Arts catalyst with the exhibition Space Soon at Roundhouse London. Later I experimented with this idea through a Sound-network collaborative project. Further development was possible through a CARA action research project (Rolls-Royce Science Prize) - for which the idea was developed to make a permanent interactive work.

The earliest experiment using the concept of AM transmission was made at Bell Laboratories - where they used a water jet to record the conversation and ambient sounds in a room and etch these to wax cylinder. CV Boys demonstrates the ability of a water jet to amplify the sound of a ticking clock and a tuning fork. (CV boys - Soap Bubbles and the forces that mould them) - the water jet is used to amplify the sound form the clock.