Author: Ken Zhang
-
Reflections on the Relationship Between FM and AM Through Ring Modulation
Ring modulation is usually talked about to make sounds weird. You put two signals into it and the result can turn metallic, bell-like, or just harsh. That is the part people notice first. But after working with it a bit, I started to feel that this is not really the most interesting thing about it.…
-
Reflections on the Relationship Between Modular Synthesizers and Operators
The unique thing about modular synthesizers is that they’re always in an “unfinished” state. You can always add new modules to the system and create more complex patches. But motivation of composing can be easily shift from “What kind of sound do I want to create?” to “How complex can this system get?” Sometimes, when…
-
I’m for a sound art
As an sound artist, I am thrilled to work in an industry related to underground music or sound art. My focus will be on experimental music, doing sound installations, and collaborating with artists in other mediums. London has an underground music culture scene that’s different from where I’m from. During my study abroad period, I…
-
Analysis of the “Another Life”
The experimental music piece I would like to analyze is one of my favorite albums by Amnesia Scanner “Another Life”. It is an excellent case study for exploring contemporary experimental electronic music and the anxiety of the digital age. The track carries on their previous style, creating a sense of anxiety and unease. This album…
-
Reflections on “LINKED”
The event we’ve done was experiencing the work of Graeme Miller’s work “LINKED”. This is a very special art project that combines a city walk with sound exploration. We put on the headphones and a signal capture device to listen to the recordings he’ve took for the past years. As we walked through the streets,…
-
Reflections on “Longplayer”
The event we’ve done was experiencing the British sound installation “Longplayer”. This exhibition is located by the River Thames in London, and the environment is very relaxing. This is a musical project designed to play for one thousand years. We entered the lighthouse at Trinity Buoy Wharf， climbed up the narrow stairs, and sit down…
-
Three words that are importance to my practice
For me, the three keywords might be borderless, radical and colorful. These three words works as a compass, guiding every sonic experiment I make. When I’m creating or discovering sound works, I want my creations to have no boundaries. To be borderless is to weaken limitations, whether physical, cultural, or conceptual. It is about embracing…
-
My initial interest in sound art
My enthusiasm of sound creation and production starts with electronic music. I started listening to electronic music when I was in middle school, starting with techno and continuing with ambient, deconstructed club, IDM, and other underground music genres. These music genres make me want to dig more into the creation and arts of sound. Another…