Karlheinz Essl

m@ze°2

Modular Algorithmic Zound Environment
1998 - 2012

Basics | CD | mp3 | Videos | Literature

m@ze°2 is a computer-based electronic instrument which serves as a realtime environment for composition and improvisation as well. This project is another attempt to realize an old idea that has been haunting me for many years: the vision of a music

which composes itself at the moment of its sounding
which is not merely a reproduction of a pre-fabricated notation
which is capable of reacting on exterior influences
which exhibits infinite temporal expansion
which never repeats itself.

The software is written entirely in Max/MSP and takes advantage of my own Real Time Composition Library (RTC-lib). It is based on an ever-growing database of samples which are processed by so-called structure generators which are triggered and controlled by the computer keyboard, the mouse, several MIDI controllers and a webcam. An elaborated section of DSP routines (including reverb, harmonizer, transposer, pitch shifter, equalizer, LFO, ring modulator, and panning) enables the player to process the generated sound structures in the end.

NB: This software is not public domain. It is used by its author, the composer Karlheinz Essl, as an electronic instruments for his solo performances and improvisations with other musicians. However, several modules of m@ze°2 are available as free- resp. shareware: REplay PLAYer (a generative sound shredder), fLOW (an ambient sound generator), and Amazing Maze (an interactive realtime composition for sampled sound particles).

Karlheinz Essl and his m@ze°2 environment

Karlheinz Essl amidst his m@ze°2 environment:

2x MIDI controllers with 16 faders, 1x MIDI controller with 16 rotary knobs
RME Hammerfall audio interface, Behringer mixing desk

CD release

In 1999, Karlheinz Essl has recorded a solo CD with live performances played on his m@ze°2 realtime composition environment. As the original limited CD edition is sold out, you can still listen to it on the Internet. Thanks to ruccas.org, all tracks are available as MP3 files for free download.

Interface

User interface of the m@ze°2 realtime composition environment (1999-2012)

Videos

Karlheinz Essl improvising on his m@ze°2 realtime composition environment
Project Arts Centre, Dublin (21 Oct 2011)
Portrait Concert Karlheinz Essl

Karlheinz Essl performing Demo Crazy on his realtime composition environment m@ze°2
Pernegg, Parish church (20 Aug 2009)
12th GlobArt Academy

Karlheinz Essl improvising with m@ze°2 together with Gerald Preinfalk and Jörg Engels
Klosterneuburg, Essl Museum (21 Nov 2009)
CHAIN REACTION

Karlheinz Essl: free improv with m@ze°2
Klagenfurt, Alpe-Adria-Universität (15 Jan 2009)
A-m@ze-ing - Portrait Karlheinz Essl

Karlheinz Essl performing Sonnez la cloche!
Berlin, 401contemporary fine arts gallery (13 Jun 2009)
SOUND MARKS - Solo performance Karlheinz Essl

Literature

Samuel Gfeller: Algorithmische Komposition und Live-Elektronik - Bachelor's Thesis (Hochschule der Künste, Bern 2010)
Karlheinz Essl: A-m@ze-ing - Portrait concert featuring Karlheinz Essl's m@ze°2 (Klagenfurt, 15 Jan 2009)
Karlheinz Essl: Neue Elektronische Musikinstrumente - Telefoninterview mit Annina Loets (Juli 2008)
Karlheinz Essl: Improvisation with Computers - Answers to a Questionaire by Thomas Peter (2006)
Alfred Koch: Die Erfindung des Unbekannten - Radiofeature der Ö1-Tonspuren (9 Jun 2006)

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Updated: 6 Feb 2012