In contrast to the chaotic and disorderly spatial elements and sound design within the piece, the other atmosphere that I wish to express within certain sections of the composition is the complete dissociative and exhausted states that I reach while performing. Often, when performing and in my recorded movement, I reach a level of exhaustion that brings me to the floor, and among the smoke and strobe lights, the boundary between my skin, the music, and the outside world feels very thin. It is almost like being underwater, where the space feels so saturated that it brings an element of oneness to the world around me. I am attempting to recreate these moments in the video with two techniques:
Filter Modulation and Circular Panning
While the technique is quite simple and not exclusive to multi-channel composition, the added depth provided by spatial audio adds an additional layer of immersion. Modulating a high-pass filter on all 8 channels, in addition to slow circular surround panning of certain elements, creates a feeling of being submerged. This “underwater” atmosphere is enhanced by automating the speed of the circular panning, which mirrors the resistance your body feels when moving through water. The octophonic setup brings an extra dimension of believability to this sonic phenomenon.