Online Music Lab

www.ewm-music.com

www.quadralab.eu

This project, initiated by the Stichting EWM, is a unique combination of innovative technology and culture. People all around the world talk about it and we are going to do it.
The idea of this project is to perform assigned compositions from seven different stages simultaneously on the net and on location. At each stage the videos of all the other performers are streamed so cooperative musicians are as well visible on the respective stages. They play in almost perfect real time together.
The artistic choice to combine electronic, improvised and composed music is made to break down any existing barriers between modern music disciplines. For both composers and musicians it means that a new dimension to their ensemble playing will be added.
In an ever fast changing world musicians aren't normally in the forefront of technical development, but in this project they are. Participating musicians are: Martin Fondse (composition & keyboard), Eric van der Westen (composition & basses), Claudio Puntin (bass clarinet, clarinet), Erwin Vann (saxes and electronics) Tom Sikkers (electric guitar), Dirk Peter Kölsch (drums/ laptop) and Maartje Simons (drums).
The first phase of the project will emphasize on The Netherlands, the second phase we aim to set up an orchestra world wide.
The technical target is to defy latency during the performances. There's no software available that tackles all problems you encounter when playing simultaneously like we intend to do . Promedialab develops especially for these performances perfect usable software called promedialabs - based on the Open Source Software Ninjam. We'll need serious technical utilities to do our performances. The Internet connection must be able to transport the huge amount of data up and down, on every location. Besides that the streaming video means a number of people will be busy filming and controlling the images. We'll have to train a number of times with the full crew to make it work.
We want to present a number of super high quality performances with state of the art technology. An extra will be the presentation of this all in 2nd life. An extra challenge.
This project is supported by Digitale Pioniers- Stichting Kennisland, RTE, Backdrop & BRAM. Currently possible contributors are FAPK, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds, VSB Fonds, Ministry of OC&W and the European Community.

Final Products

With Digital Pioneers all the existing software will be developed further along. One of the biggest problems at the execution of non-improvised music with online musicians is handling the delay that occurs. Online Music Lab uses Ninjam to realise synchronism. One of the final results will probably be an online concert which will be played at Second Life.

Contact

Stichting EWM
Eric van der Westen
P.O.Box 9156
5000 HD Tilburg
The Netherlands
Telephone:+31620401433
Fax:+31135445332
www.ewm-music.com