Steffen Krebber – Sprechende Ohren (2023)
for drum set and two loudspeakers

Dirk Rothbrust, drum set

video/editing, Janet Sinica
recording producer, Hendrik Manook

“Sprechende Ohren” is the first piece in which the fundamental research behind “sinusoidal run rhythm” is applied as live electronics. “Sprechende Ohren” uses microphones to capture a minimal drum set. The amplification of the signal through two speakers is controlled by “sinusoidal run rhythm.” “Sinusoidal run rhythm” is created by adding in-phase cosine functions in integer frequency ratios. Their peaks are temporally and dynamically shifted relative to notated rhythms and exhibit a physicality that is absent in discretely controlled rhythms. Sinusoidal run rhythm defines rhythm as a wave, thereby expanding common rhythm theories from various musical traditions. Two speakers project the drum signal, each modified differently, creating a spatial movement of the sounds.

More on the concept and the underlying research: sinusoidal run rhythm