My PhD

Title

Exploring the music making and performance affordances of ams, a new acoustic modular musical machine, featuring a human agent. 

Abstract

What would an acoustic modular synth look and sound like? 

Through the design, creation and use of a new and unique acoustic modular musical instrument system, entitled ams [æmz], this research makes the case for developing new musical instruments as a means of generating fresh opportunities for creative expression and novel repertoire, in a way that is less burdened by established habits and working practices. ams adheres to modular synth standards but with all sounds expressed and shaped physically and acoustically. The outcomes herein consist of the system itself—sixteen MU/5U modules across four module cases—presented module by module, along with compositions and performances used to identify the system’s music making affordances in both studio and live settings. 

Through the development and use of ams, a wholly new way of engaging in music making and live performance was established. Though modular acoustic and electro-acoustic multi-instrument systems are not unheard of, such an explicitly ‘acoustic modular synth’ is novel in its form and uses. 

When considered alongside the work presented by pioneers in the field at the event series Soundings, which I organised and curated as part of this research, the inexorable link between an instrument’s design and its affordances was clearly demonstrated. 

The experimental and feedbacky methodology I employ is explored through both text and work-in-progress videos and can be seen to underpin my processes across design, prototyping, testing, recording and live performance; through continual revision. This is a relentlessly inquisitive whole system practice-research approach where everything is intertwined and self-referential. Mine is a reflective practice where process and outcome enjoy parity. Where findings remain fluid rather than solid. More adjective than noun. 

Presented in a media-rich hybrid form, including text, video and audio recordings, I expose the processes and outcomes of my research in a way that befits its sonic and visual immediacy, with the aim of inspiring the adoption of similar approaches; seeding new creative practices and sound works.

List of Videos – ams

All videos of ams, created to form part of my thesis. In order of appearance.

Introducing ams

Module overview videos

Further ams videos

List of Videos – Soundings

All videos of the Soundings event series, curated and presented as part of my research. In chronological order.

Soundings Highlights

Soundings event videos

Soundings #1

Soundings #2

Soundings #3

Soundings #4

Soundings #5

List of additional media – ams

Moving Air

Thesis

Click below to view and download my thesis in full.

SamUnderwood_ThesisDownload

What next?

I am now on a long term cycle tour but ams is in capable hands. It is currently on long term loan to the wonderful Lia Mice, who intends to use it and offer it for use by others.

ams modules in cases with pipes and detritus attached

On leaving Twitter

I have left Twitter. Actually, my account still exists but that’s just so that anyone I only know through Twitter can still get in touch. It has been good to me. I have made many friends, learnt a lot and collaborated with a number of people as a result of it. As Twitter was my only ever foray into social media, one might say I have left social media. For now at least I have not migrated elsewhere.

My reasons for leaving Twitter are similar to my reasons for not joining other platforms. Ethical reasons. I’m not suggesting I am deeply principled, even less so wholly consistent on ethical issues, but it was enough for me to move on. I have questioned my relationship with Twitter for a while and this pushed me over the edge.

The problem is, Twitter was very much part of my process. Some of you reading this will be familiar with my ‘work in progress videos’ where I would post what I was building. It was warts-and-all and helped to spur me on. I hope it was also enlightening for other makers / artists.

One other area I will miss is cycle advocacy. There’s a good crew around these parts and I’ll miss contributing in the unique way one could through 280 characters.

Since leaving, I have definitely gained some time each day…and my Twitter Voice has faded away nicely. I have been blogging in longer form again and so far I have stuck to the promise I made myself: to engage more in real life. I’ve even made it to the AGM of that cycle advocacy group I mentioned and contributed to a project of theirs.

The bit I am not yet clear on is how to document my work. I think that too is going to become more long form. That would fit nicely with where I am at in my PhD, as I start to transition from tireless experimental musical instrument builds to more formal ‘writing up’. I have also been thinking hard about what documentation I find useful and inspiring. Ideally, it’s a mixture of video and audio demos with text and images to show specifics of the build – plus links to any resources and materials. The problem is, even I have found this easier to do with some sort of ‘audience’. I guess we’ll see how it goes…

Lastly, I am trying to extract various themes covered over the years in my tweets. I am starting to log these on my research site. There are many common threads but they are impossible to consolidate (or even find) if searching a Twitter history. Maybe I can make something more useful out of the thirteen or so years I was on that platform.

As ever, do please post any comments on this. I welcome your thoughts.

Image by Ben Waddington

Meanwhile…

What a time we’ve had of late. Has been crushing for so many musician/artist friends and of course even worse for some. Like many, I’ve been trying to work out what the future holds and how to “stay safe”.

I’ve not gone away though, despite my apparent absence here. In fact, since September 2020 I have both started a part-time PhD at BCU and I took on an intern from Design Academy Eindhoven for six months (slightly truncated by Covid). Both of these endeavours have their own spaces online, if you’d like to find out more:

PhD &c – www.mrunderwood.co.uk/research
Miles The Intern – https://www.mrunderwood.co.uk/milesmeetssam/