Deep Listening Convergence

FAQ for New Users

Page history last edited by scot 2 yrs ago

FAQ For Participants

What is the Deep Listening Convergence?

Our objective is to create new performing ensembles of diverse improvisers. The ensembles will vary in size (duos, trio, up to large groups of 15 or more), instrumentation, level of exposure of the artists, and duration. Some will come together for a single performance, others will continue as long-term artistic collaborations. We will host a 4 month virtual residency for 50 musicians followed by an in-person residency with public performances for ensembles that have coalesced.

What is a virtual residency?

Imagine 50 musicians all over the world working together with online rehearsals using state of the art Web 2.0 technology to reach across nations and work together. The concept is to use Skype the voice over I/P for musicians with online access to work with each other to rehearse music and talk about ideas for new performance, etc. This enables busy musicians the opportunity to work together in a 24/7 accesible "residency". It is virtual because everyone will be meeting online and not in "actual" person. This is obviously a first experiment in using these new technologies to enable musicians to work across

How do one get started?

Get Skype and learn how to contact others Skype users. Skype is free and can even be used over dialup, but does work over DSL or Cable better. Click on this link to see a short video on how to download Skype 2.5 for the Mac.

How do I test my audio?

Once you have skype installed go to this web page:

http://www.skype.com/help/guides/soundsetup.html

to test your audio. Make sure, if you are using a headset, to plug the green headphone jack into the soundcards headphone out and the mic of the headset into the mic input (usually red on a PC).

How do I play when others are in a conference with me?

The cheap and easy way for this all to work out is to have a good mic or line into skype that picks up the output of speakers or synth that are playing back, but that you are monitoring the other participants via headphones. Otherwise there will be uncontrollable feedback. That feedback will be present if anyone participating has speakers and mic with the live full skype signal in the same room. You can mediate it some by moving the mic as far as possible from the speakers, but then you have balance and monitoring problems. Headphones for the output of skype is the best solution by far.

Also, when starting up a session, start it as a conference even if it is just two people at first. That way, if other people show up you can add them in.