The UPIC system is a flexible composition and sound synthesis tool conceived by Iannis Xenakis and developed at his research facility the CEMAMu.

UPIC Etudes 2-6 (1996)   A series of individual works created on the UPIC system in 1996 at Les Ateliers UPIC in Alfortville (Paris) France (now CCMIX, the Centre de Creation Musicales Iannis Xenakis).  These etudes utilized the iterative feedback frequency modulation function in the UPIC system.  The UPIC system is a graphical score composition tool, whereby lines and “arcs” drawn with the use of a computer input device are interpreted by a synthesis engine with assigned parameters (amplitude, frequency, dynamics, etc.).  My work on the UPIC system negates the use of the graphical score paradigm, and instead relies on the embedded algorithmic capabilities of the system in order that I may define multiple simultaneous processes that are set in motion in real time.  These etudes were “performed” in that I initiated the process via a computer mouse input device, and then let the computer follow through with the creation and emergence of the sonic result that was recorded onto DAT tape.

UPIC Etude 2

UPIC Etude 3

 UPIC Etude 4

 UPIC Etude 5

 UPIC Etude 6