Towards a 'Chamber' Approach in Electroacoustic Music Presented at the 3rd Sonic Arts Conference, Newcastle, 2000

The development of micro-computers and affordable music software has created a greater autonomy for composers who were previously dependent on institutional resources. Historically electroacoustic music has relied on the computer as a creative instrument; however, expensive and exclusive computer systems have compounded elitist attitudes in electroacoustic music. With an unlimited choice of sound material at the composer's disposal and the ability to mix sounds ad infinitum, issues in chamber music such as timbral identity, articulation and continuity can be overlooked. Large scale diffusion systems have also contributed to the development of electroacoustic music, not only influencing the location and frequency of concerts, but also compositional aesthetics. The 'domestic' diffusion system of the composers' collective nerve8 provides an answer towards a 'chamber' performance in electroacoustic music.