The setup and the execution of the electroacoustic part of this work requires a Computer Music Designer (Max expert).

Version Information

Performance date
September 21, 2015
Documentation date
October 28, 2015
Version
Genève - 2015
Status
valid
Validation date
March 25, 2020
Documentalist
Augustin Muller (Augustin.Muller@ircam.fr)
Realisation
David Poissonnier (Sound engineer)
Length
1h 5 min
Upgrade motivation
Port of the Z8 sampler to a samplor~ based patch in max. Tested in performance with the composer. Max 6 version of the main patch. Some new sounds in the main patch.
Comment
This version was played for the Comedie de Genève production of Cassandre with Fanny Ardant (21-27.09.2015)

Other Versions

Max8February 2, 2022

Lugano2012February 21, 2013

cassandre-aout-2010September 8, 2010

2006 Mac OSXMarch 7, 2006

Detailed Staff

Soloist
actress

flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, 2 horns, trumpet, trombone, 2 percussionists, piano, electronic/MIDI keyboard/synthesizer, violin, second violin, viola, cello, double bass

Detailed staff comes from Brahms, send mail to ressources-contenus@ircam.fr for correction.

Electronic Equipment List

Computer Music Equipment

1 KX 88
MIDI Keyboard (Yamaha) - to be connected to the Macintosh computer to trigger sound files, via the MIDI interface. Used from C0 (MIDI pitch 24) to G#6 (MIDI pitch 104) [Heavy touch:1] [Key number:88]
1 KX 76
MIDI Keyboard (Yamaha) - was connected directly to the Akai sampler, now controls the Cassandre_Sampler max patch. Range used : from F#0 (MIDI pitch 30) to G5 (MIDI pitch 91) [Heavy touch:1] [Key number:76]
1 Sound Board
Sound Board (generic) - Number of analog output:2 , Sampling Rate : 44100
1 Midi interface
MIDI Interfaces (generic) - to interface the 88 key MIDI keyboard to the Macintosh Computer [Port type:USB] [I/O number:1 input]
1 MacBook Pro
Apple Laptops (Apple)
1 Max 6
Max (Cycling74) - or MAX7 in 32bit mode

Audio Equipment

1 Mixing Console
Mixing Console (generic)
1 Effect processor
Effects Processor (generic) - Equalizer for the voice (actress)
2 Loudspeaker
Loudspeakers (generic)
2 Amplifier
Amplification (generic)
1 HF System
HF System (generic)
2 Dynamic microphone
Dynamic Microphones (generic) - Wireless microphone for the voice (actress)

Downloads

patch&sounds

D. Poissonnier

451.11 Mo

CASSANDRE2009-MIXSANSVOIX.aif

comment

For rehearsal purpose only - DO NOT DISTRIBUTE !

539.31 Mo

MasterSansVoixCassandreOrigineCD.aif

comment

For rehearsal purpose only - DO NOT DISTRIBUTE ! (alternate version)

573.15 Mo

Patch_sounds_CORRECTED_18

comment

Patch version corrigé /update samplor 2018

451.1 Mo

Instructions

Audio Setup

The electronic part of Cassandre requires a stereo frontal diffusion. The voice and the ensmble should be amplified.

No real time transformation.

Audio/MIDI setup diagram - General Stage, Audio and MIDI Setup

Software setup

The _cassandre-comedie-2015-09edit folder contains all the applications, patcher source files, sound files, etc. needed for the Macintosh computer to perform the piece.

The source files are provided so that you can eventually modify them, if you have your own licenced Max application.

For the Cassandre patch, put the cassandre-comedie-2015-09_edit/Max folder in your max preferences, then load _Cassandre15.maxpat.

Max Sampling rate should be set to 44.1 kHz, Vector Size 64. Overdrive On.

For the cassandre software sampler (samplor~) , just load the project CassandreSampler.maxproj located in cassandre-comedie-2015-09_edit/CassandreSampler.

Patches presentation - Usage of the Max/MSP Patcher

Cassandre_15 , DtoD sounds, Midi channel 2:

patch_view

In the present version, the Max/MSP patcher only implements the so-called "DtoD" (direct to disk): the playing of sound files triggered by MIDI pitches from the 88 key keyboard. The patcher could ultimately also include an implementation of the sampler part, in replacement of the Akai sampler. However, elements of the patcher concerning this possibility are presently unused. Consequently, the patcher feeds only two audio outputs (see dac~ 1 2 object in the AUDIO sub-patcher).
After installation (see "Max/MSP Patcher Installation" above) the main Max/MSP patcher is ready at once upon opening. Only the preload of the sound files must be performed manually, by clicking on the main patcher's button marked Preload Sound Files.
The Max/MSP patcher receives MIDI Note On messages from the keyboard, on MIDI Channel n° 2 (two), and triggers the appropriate sound files.
The audio output level can be modified with the DtoD Global Volume potentiometer. It is set to -9 dB by default. This default value can be changed permanently.
At any time, the C7 key (MIDI pitch 108) can be played to stop a file during its playback. Certain other keys, according to the score, also intentionally stop a playing sound. Some other keys have no effect.
The [x] key of the computer keyboard can also be used to stop playback.
It is possible to simulate manually the incoming of a MIDI Note On from the keyboard, in order to test the patcher. Open the MIDI-IN sub-patcher with a double-click. You can then click in the right hand number box marked To simulate a pitch manually, and type in the desired MIDI pitch followed by return, or use the onscreen keyboard.
The left hand side of this sub-patcher is intended for future implementation of the sampler, and is presently unused.

Cassandre_sampler, samplers sounds, Midi channel 1 :

sampler_view

Select the appropriate midi input with the menu.
Select the audio output with the dsp status manu.
Check program changes.
Levels tuning and enveloppe are stored and recalled on a program-by-program basis using the preset object.
You can save and load your own configuration, but note that current balance and enveloppe were adapted with the composer.

Performance notes

keyboard 1 : A2 (57) or press "W" to fade out the soundfile at the end of the last sentence of the monologue.

Program Notes

Ce monodrame a été inspiré par la comédienne suisse Marthe Keller. Le texte, de l'écrivain allemand Gerhard Wolf, est basé sur le livre de Christa Wolf, Kassandra, interprétation moderne du drame grec. Deux versions, musicalement identiques, sont envisagées : la première en français, pour le théâtre du Châtelet, et la deuxième en allemand. L'ensemble est constitué de 18 musiciens, auxquels s'ajoute une partie électronique constituée d'échantillons déclenchés par un clavier dans l'orchestre. Le défi est d'intégrer les sons électroniques dans l'orchestre traditionnel, ceci pour élargir le champ des sonorités d'une manière cohérente ; ce n'est qu'à deux occasions, pendant une heure que dure la pièce, que l'électronique, pour des raisons dramaturgiques, joue un rôle de premier plan.

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