Re: [microsound] playing the no-input mixing board

[Gregory Elliott <Spagirus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Just a correction, of a sort, and some additions.  No input mixer, at least as it is used by Nakamura, is done by plugging the outputs of the mixer into the inputs, thus creating feedback. Then the feedback can be effected, and thereby played, with the EQ knobs. I have yet to see Nakamura, but his produced recordings and some live ones I've heard are wonderful. Here is his web site for more: http://www.japanimprov.com/tnakamura/

The Croatian composer Marko Ciciliani has also done some pieces and live performances with the no-input mixing board, which I have, and it is amazing stuff. I do not know the technical details of how he plays this instrument, but here is his web site: http://www.ciciliani.com/

I also do not know the history of this instrument/concept. Did Nakamura or Ciciliani come up with it first or independently? I don't know.  The idea is simple enough, you'd think someone would have thought of it a long time ago.

On a more personal note, after being exposed to Nakamura's work, I've been working with this instrument a lot myself with a Behringer mixer. It is an exciting sound source, but working with it has made me greatly appreciate what Nakamura is doing. His work is rarely 'noisy', which is a difficult and precarious thing to accomplish with no-input mixing board. The feedback inside it, gets noisy real quick. I have done some pieces where I managed to keep that under control, and have also done some stuff with real time granular processing of the sound in an improv situation, which is still noisy, but sounds good because the granulating makes it rhythmic enough to be interesting. My results here have been rather like Cicilianis work (luckily not quite the same), who I'm guessing is doing something similar by processing it in real time. That's all for now. A fascinating topic to be sure. Somebody jump in on the history/origins of this instrument please, so I know who to cite when I do it from now on.

Greg



--- "Spider Baby" <thecatsmeow@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:






> does anybody have some more info on "no-input mixing board"s?

>You have a mixer and cables plugged in but not connected to any
>instruments. The performers skin and what they touch or "short circuit"
>the cables with creates snap crackle pop and hum. I guess adding
>out>board FX is cheating but I'm sure some artists do.

i saw Toshimaru about one and half years ago maybe with, i think jason howe,
in a tiny side room to a jewish diner here in pittsbugh called platters,
toshimaru played his no input mixing board and jason (?) cymbol and
chopstick.  it was a really great show, subtle. i bought his weather sky
disk with keith rowe and it's quite interesting if you have a place quiet
enough to listen to it.

much like the no input mixing board i have been working with a amplifier in
the same manner, but also using pedals to enhance the sound.  all slight
tweeks of the knobs change the sound is very particular ways.  warning to
not do this if you value your amplifier, it destroyed mine and i think the
only reason it works at all is a electrical disturbance that i still have
yet been unable to find.  later, i tore the crate apart placed the reverb
unit and the speaker on the top of the metal console (the knob unit) and as
the speaker vibrates the reverb springs bounce and sound is produced.  i
like to fill the speaker with mustard seeds and record the random firing of
the seeds.  it reminds of the parachute filled with balls from elementary
school gym time.  chaotic, spastic, undeterministic.

steven





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