Proceedings of the Australasian Computer Music Conference, Australian National University, Canberra, 10-12 July 1998.

Oasis Rose the Composition – Real-time DSP with AudioMulch
Ross Bencina Email: rossb@audiomulch.com Web: http://www.audiomulch.com.au/
Abstract. Oasis Rose is a composition incorporating live instrumentalists and real-time signal processing. The work makes use of algorithmically controlled non-linear signal processing techniques while attempting to maintain the “signal processing as extension of instrument” aesthetic. Real-time signal processing is implemented using the authors AudioMulch interactive music environment for Windows 95/NT™. This paper discusses the algorithms utilised in Oasis Rose, and documents the authors experiences in bringing traditionally “studio” or “non real-time” signal processing techniques to the stage.

1.0 Introduction Since my earliest experiences with audio effects and digital signal processing, I have been fascinated by their ability to transform and augment the sound of acoustic and electronic instruments. For electric guitarists and classic knob-box synthesists, the application of effects has been an integral part of musical performance for over three decades. While the use of “live electronics” in performance has an established history, the use of computer based dsp systems is a relatively new area of performance practice, especially outside the confines of academic institutions. This paper documents my own experience in making real-time dsp assisted music with affordable personal computers, AudioMulch – the software system I have developed for this task, and some of the algorithms I have applied in Oasis Rose a recent work for Cor Anglais, Marimba, Viola and AudioMulch. 2.0 [Concrete, Meta, Hyper] – [Instrument, Performance, Improvisation, Composition] The twentieth century has heralded an awakening to the plasticity of musical sound, and a rediscovery of both western and non-western improvisatory