Speech Studies by G. ZIFCAK

LINER NOTES

I. Processing

1. Word Freeze A, 2023

Speech analysis is performed by a Serge system, which also processes the output of a Digitech RDS-1900 set to a very short delay time. The Serge controls Hold functions of the delay, causing speech "grains" to be sampled and frozen. Source audio is from a youtube video of a guy talking about his Serge synthesizer.

2. Word Freeze B, 2023

Same patch as Word Freeze A with some minor differences, no pitch modulation.

3. Language Processing, 2023

Boss pitch shifter controlled and processed by Serge system and custom Window Comparator, creating stepped pitches, frequency shifts, and phase shifts. Source audio is from a youtube video of a speech on working memory and language processing.

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II. Sampling

4. Edith, 2004

Vinyl record of narrated WWII encrypted communications history, sampled into an Akai S20. Arbitrary playback reversal performed manually. Also appears on Illegal Mindz, 2004.

5. Demonstration, 2009

Akai S612 sample of the word "demonstration," sequenced via 909 external instrument track, processed via manipulation of front panel controls. This piece was recorded as a gear demo to advertise the sale of the sampler (re-purchased a few years later). A version that included 909 drums processed by the sampler preamp was released on Bizaarbazaar compilation #2, 2019.

6. Timestretch, 2023

Akai S3000xl sample of the word "timestretch," copied to 3 different slots and timestretched with different settings to create a program, which is then triggered by a step sequencer arbitrarily selecting from a set of 16 pitches. The probability of a note triggering on each step rises from 0% to 100% and back down.

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III. Simulation

7. Serge Lecture, 2003

Composed on the Serge modular system at City College of San Francisco, this piece is the result of a naive attempt to approximate basic speech sounds via analog synthesis. A longer version appears on Institutional Ephemera, 2022.

8. Serge Dialog, 2003

An attempt to simulate a conversation on the CCSF Serge modular system. Patch complexity per voice is reduced compared to the single voice attempt, due to physical limits on synth processing power.

9. Serge Dialog 2, 2023

Another go at Serge conversation simulation 20 years later. The left voice is an attempt to implement Yamaha's formant synthesis patent using Serge modules, and the right voice uses audio rate filter modulation to approximate vocal formants.

aka Greg Z aka Hauser/Quaid aka Reticular Activating System aka Breath Control aka Illegal Mindz

gzifcak.net