Messeden Playform Developments

Messeden Playform Developments is an experimental and original music composition utilising the combinational sonic textures from the Eurorack system of modular synthesizer with some high-frequency sonic effects created by pure signal generation. The composition is primarily an experiment in ambient textural atmospherics married to completely synthetic visual image textures inspired by the EMS Spectron video synthesizer. The atmospherics forge the musical direction while the imagery completes the final picture in intricate detail. To begin, the music itself was inspired by the collection of individual Eurorack modular synthesizer sounds. Various Eurorack modules were used including Doepfer, Pittsburgh modular, Blue Lantern, Intellijel, Makenoise, Synthesis Technology and others. The primary means of arrangement was to record using multitrack techniques long pulses or decay times produced by each oscillator or a combination of several oscillator sources processed in some way - delay, reverb, frequency shifting or ring modulation. Each track of the multitrack texture contained just one tone texture overlaid by other tone textures at different time intervals. Each track contained a different timbre and oscillator frequency that when added together produced a pseudo-sequence of a repeating phrase. These phrases were clocked to a 50 bpm reference for the most part. Each texture was alternated in the final mix creating overlapping sequences of tones. When one sequence stops, another sequence comes in halfway through. The idea of creating sequences from individual tones was inspired by the Crystal Palace device as used by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop in the late 1960s. To add extra interest to the alternating "Crystal Palace" sequences, high frequencies (from signal generation) were included, as well as sinewave pulses put through a heavy reverb. Lower choral sinewaves were also added during the mix as well as some very eerie organ-like randomised tones created on the SynFactory 1.15 software modular synthesizer. The start chorus was created on the Tapeotronic Mellotron emulation software. The music moves from sequence to sequence, texture to texture - various combinations coming in and out of play. The visuals are all pure video synthesis techniques - primarily emulating the EMS Spectron video synthesizer linear patterns and "textile weave" designs. There are multi-coloured amorphous forms, intricate textile-like animated backgrounds emulating the logically-produced counter X/Y constructions of the Spectron. Some forms resemble oscilloscopic or modulated circular constructions. Of interest are the fluid-like forms that pulsate or change shape on the screen. Some textures are purely geometric in construction, others are very organic in their motions - such as the light globules that appear from time to time. Ideas of biology or cosmic integration are inferred by the animations. Stars and light pulses saturate the viewing field to draw the viewer deeper. Sonic vibrations and light textures then bring forth the conclusion of the work which features a dynamic linear background overlayed by a finely-modulated form with globule-like externally-keyed forms containing checkerboard patterns. This sequence plays out to the end of the composition. Of interest is the interplay of sonic textures and light dynamics. All elements are in motions across the screen. No image is ever static - usually a foreground motif on a geometrically textured background - reminiscent of the philosophy of the EMS Spectron - digital X/Y horizontal and vertical counter patterns create the backdrop for the more organic circle-derivatives that could be overlayed and modulated as a visual contrast. The line and the circle - the two prime ingredients for endless permutations.