Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments, Part 2

Released in early 2015 as a companion piece to the critically acclaimed Syro, Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments, Part 2 represents a radical departure from Richard D. James's signature electronic synthesis. The EP is composed entirely of acoustic instruments - primarily prepared pianos, drums, and various percussion elements - triggered via MIDI and computer-controlled mechanical actuators. This technique, reminiscent of avant-garde composers like John Cage and Conlon Nancarrow, strips away the digital oscillators and filters to focus entirely on physical resonance and complex rhythmic programming. The tracks range from brief, fragmentary sketches to fully realized, lumbering acoustic grooves. The production is incredibly dry and intimate, with minimal reverb, highlighting the mechanical noises of the triggering apparatuses themselves, which adds a unique, industrial-folk texture to the entire project.