B-Partita (in memoriam Pierre Boulez)

Partita 2 or B-Partita ?

The electronic part, as well as the violin part of Partita2 and B-Partita are very close.
The only difference on the Max patch side is :

• To play B-Partita start with B-Partita1.asco
• To play Partita2 start with Partita2.1.asco

Audio and Loudspeaker setup

Light version (max project)

To start this version simply open the max project Partita2-2025.maxproj.

Files preferences

Max file preferences should point to the max project folder

Max

• IO VS : 1024
• VS : 128
• SR : 44100
• overdrive : on
• Scheduler in audio interrupt : off

Simulation test

In the main patch, choose simulation in the "go to" menu.

This window opens:

There are several different recordings of the solo violin part, as snd/filage160712 or snd/filage170712.

• Start the follower in the antescofo window as it is explained in the initialization routine,
• Choose filage160712 for example (arrow number1),
• It will automatically check play in the simulation window (number 3), and you will see sound on the meter (number 4).

There are also markers on the recordings called "filage 170712" and "filage 160712".

To begin for example at part 2, number 50 in the score, you can choose it in the window below the file name (number 2).

The simulation violin sound is routed to dac7.

original version (multiple patches)

Software installation

For CPU performance reasons, the electronic software is split in four patches running in parallel on the same computer :

1. Partita-Deux-+3FC-10-2021.maxpat : The main patch
   * score following (using antescofo)
   * control of all the synthesis and transformation processes.
   * The "three frequencies chord" ("3FC") is an additive synthesis patch controlled by a continuous sound analysis of the violin.
2. T_synful_03 : Synful synthesis used to play musical sequences.
3. T_spat_17 : hexaphonic spatialisation
4. T_String_06 : Two virtual physical model strings

T_synful_03, T_spat_17 and T_String_06 are applications (built with max8).

All the required applications and patches can be launch at once by executing the _P2-2021-run.sh script in a terminal.

Files preferences

Max file preferences should point to :

• Partita2-Max8-2021/
• Partita2-Max8-2021/data/antescofo_scores2017

DSP Overview

This diagram shows the audio routing between the applications:

The audio lines from 9 to 16 are used to communicate between the different applications. The inputs should be connected to the outputs of the audio soundboard.

You can do it :

• with an optical fiber loop.
• or as loopbacks in the TotalMix fireface software :

The patches (or applications) communicate via Open Sound Control commands through network (UDP) messages and with audio via loopback or optic fiber link on the audio card.

DSP status and IOSetup

The IO mappings for each application should be set as shown below

Max

• IO VS : 1024
• VS : 128
• SR : 44100
• overdrive : on
• Scheduler in audio interrupt : off

String

Synful

Spat

After setting the DSP status, quit every application in order to save the settings.

System calibration and tests

On the main patch Partita-Deux-+3FC-10-2021, select antescofo in the menu "go to".

(This menu contains shortcuts for easy access to important subpatches)

a window appears:

1. Click on the bang (Number 1). It resets everything in antescofo.
2. Choose a score (for example Partita2.1.asco).
3. Choose the event you want to go to.
4. Click on play and check that it commands all other patches.
5. Calibrate antescofo by clicking in the p calibration in p antescofo.

Check the toggle "Calibrate $1", the waveform must be close to 1:

Initialization routine

Run all the patches (2) and applications (3). (see Software installation)

Open the antescofo window located in the main patch with the "go to" menu

1. Reset antescofo by clicking on the bang between score and jump to cue (arrow number 1)
2. Wait 1 second.
3. Choose the antescofo score partita2.1.asco
4. Then you can :
   * "start" (arrow number 6 in System calibration and tests, test "antescofo") if you follow the musician or
   * "play" (arrow number 4 in System calibration and tests, test "antescofo") if you want to play the electronic part alone without following anything.

Patch presentation

You can stop the follower by unchecking "suivi" and follow evenements manually with the space bar.

MIDI mixer Setup

Faders of the midi mixer (BCF2000) are programmed to control some parameters during the concert:

NB : There is also the possibility to control the internal mix with mira on an ipad instead of the midi mixer.

Performance notes

For the sound engineer

The violin must be amplified throughout the whole piece except between event I.5 and event I.18 with a crescendo between I.18 and I.19.

For the Computer Music Designer

The "Direct" fader controls also the level of the infinite reverb, it should be controlled carefully.

The level of the 3f synthesis process should be also carefully controlled with the "direct" fader during the "Perpetuum Mobile" section.

Score following (with antescofo) is automatic in most of this work except :

• event 1.1
• event 2.1
• event 2.29
• event 4.1
• event 5.1

IMPROVEMENTS (A TESTER)

From: Philippe Manoury <philippe.manoury@gmail.com>
Subject: Problèmes dans Partita II
Date: 4 November 2021 at 17:12:18 CET
To: Serge Lemouton <serge.lemouton@ircam.fr>
Cc: WARNIER Jacques <JWarnier@cnsmdp.fr>

Cher Serge,

Voici les passages qui ne marche pas bien dans Partita II. Je mets Jacques en copie.

Sections II
23 : C'est souvent le cas, lorsqu'il y a des sections très courtes avec les pizz qui doivent piloter la 3F, ça ne marche pas bien. Est-ce qu'on ne peut pas faire qqchose dans ces cas ? Lancer l'evt avant et faire jouer les notes dès que le micro reçoit un signal (quelque soit la note jouée par le violon) ?
39 : Idem

52 : l'évt Synful en triolets (qui deviendra quintolet plus tard) s'arrête avant la fin (peut-être en 64 je ne me rappelle plus) mais il ne va pas à son terme qui doit être 68

Et puis il y a le problème des tempi. Est-ce qu'ils sont fixés en dur maintenant (par exemple en 49, 51, 55, 63) ? Ce n'est pas le but du jeu. Sinon on fera carrément de la musique sur bande.

Sections V : Le premier evt ne marche pratiquement jamais. Il doit y avoir de la 3F or elle ne commence presque toujours que dans la deuxième figure.

Les pizz ne déclenchent pas toujours un changement de spatialisation de la corde virtuelle. Très souvent ils ne font rien. Je pense qu'il faut abandonner la détection de hauteur mais de faire un azimut variable dès qu'il y a un pizz (quelque soit la note), par emple celui très important à la fin (en 22)

ph.m.