Working in Max I built a performance interface for analyzing and chopping live samples based on attack points, change in frequency, etc. This allows you to “perform” the sample by playing it back through a series of sequencers while adding effects, changing playback speed, and generally tweaking all sorts of parameters on the fly.
I’ve done this alone and as a duet with other performers. Usually it works by having them play ~10 seconds of material into the program which I then use to improvise an accompaniment that they can perform over. I enjoy the effect of “trapping” an acoustic instrument into a digital medium and sound. When done right it sounds more organic than an electronic piece, but less so than an actual human performer.
Flute:
[audio:http://amusesmile.com/old/sound/flute5.mp3,http://amusesmile.com/old/sound/fluteBassM.mp3,http://amusesmile.com/old/sound/fluteBreathM.mp3,http://amusesmile.com/old/sound/fluteDuetM.mp3,http://amusesmile.com/old/sound/fluteHalfM.mp3|titles=flute chop 5,sub two step,breathy stutter,duet,flute chop 4]
Saxophone:
[audio:http://amusesmile.com/old/sound/hyperSax1.mp3,http://amusesmile.com/old/sound/saxElectric.mp3,http://amusesmile.com/old/sound/saxTranceM.mp3,http://amusesmile.com/old/sound/saxTrance2M.mp3,http://amusesmile.com/old/sound/saxCom.mp3|titles=hyper,breathing machine, trance, trance 2, unison at the fourth]
Drums:
[audio:http://amusesmile.com/old/sound/alienDrumM.mp3|titles=stellar tabla]
Bass:
[audio:http://amusesmile.com/old/sound/mingusChop.mp3|titles=mingus chop]
Water:
[audio:http://amusesmile.com/old/sound/dripM.mp3|titles=drip]
Music