Synchronisation

Dr Andrew Robertson provides an insight in software which he designed where a band can trigger computer controlled samples and effects that are timed accurately to a drummers tempo.

An episode of the Components podcast, hosted by The Royal Institution, titled "Synchronisation" was published on December 3, 2012 and runs 6 minutes.

December 3, 2012 ·6m · Components

Summary

Human beings naturally keep time to the rhythms of music and, just as orchestras have a conductor, live bands also need to stay in time.Traditionally a drummer listens to a 'click-track' to set the pace of a band's tempo. However, Andrew Robertson, a Sound Engineer at Queen Mary University London, has been trying to unshackle a drummer from rigidly following a set beat by engineering software that can instead monitor and follow the drummer.With his software a band can trigger computer controlled samples and effects that are timed accurately to a drummers tempo. Placing tempo control in the hands (or sticks) of a drummer in this way allows them to slow things down or speed things up, as and when they choose.In theory, this produces more fluid and expressive performances -- and, ultimately, more interesting music. But how successful is this system at moderating tempo? And could a real drummer tell the difference between a tempo matched by a human or by the machine.

Episode Description