Chorale is for amplified string quartet and quad-surround electronics. 

The electronics are made from a combination of a sampled MRI machine and birdsong.   

 

The piece was written for quad-surround electronics, where the sound from the amplified quartet is sent to Front L+R and the MRI electronics stems are sent equally to Front L+R and Back R+L around the audience.  

 

An additional stem (Chorale - Alt Tempo Track...), which is only the ticking of the idling MRI machine, 

can be used as an alternative to the click track if desired and played through wedge monitors for the quartet to follow.

As this pulse exists in the main electronic material, hearing this stem in the room won’t negatively affect the sound-world. 

 

Where quad-surround is not possible, a stereo reduction of the electronics is also supplied (Chorale - Electronics STEREO 4824),

though it loses some of the immersive swirling quality!

 

Amplification is necessary.    

 

The electronic materials needed for performance are:  

 

Stems:

Chorale - QUAD Playback - Front L1 MONO 4824

Chorale - QUAD Playback - Front R2 MONO 4824

Chorale - QUAD Playback - Back R3 MONO 4824

Chorale - QUAD Playback - Back L4 MONO 4824

 

Reduction of Electronics - Optional Alternative to Stems (see above):

Chorale - Electronics STEREO 4824

 

Click Track:

Chorale - Click Track - IEMs only

 

Pulse - Optional Alternative to Click Track (see above):

Chorale - Alt Tempo Track - IEMs or Monitors only - MONO 4824

Chorale - Alt Tempo Track - IEMs or Monitors only - STEREO 4824

 

 

Using a DAW (such as Ableton Live), the Click Track/Pulse and Stems/Stereo Reduction should be aligned, with the Click Track/Pulse sent to the quartet, and other audio sent to Front-of-House.  

NB. Click Track and Electronics both start at Bar 1.

 

The quartet hear the Click Track via in-ear monitors (IEMs)/headphones.

A headphone amp (such as the Behringer MicroAMP HA400) is required to send the click output to all 4 players.    

 

Notes on mixing volume: 

 

Chorale works best as a full-on experience, to reference the volume and intensity of having an MRI scan! 

The electronics should match, and in peak moments dominate, the volume of the quartet with everything pushed to be loud throughout.

 

For rehearsing/practice, a bounce of the Electronics with Click is also supplied:

 

Chorale - Electronics+Click (Rehearsal only)