Feedback systems

Definition

Feedback systems are processes in which the output of a system is looped back into the input, influencing subsequent outputs. In live electronics, feedback systems are essential as they create a dialogue between the sound source and the processing equipment, allowing for dynamic sound manipulation and performance. They enable composers and performers to explore new sonic possibilities by using the output signals to modify or control the input, leading to complex and evolving soundscapes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Feedback systems can generate rich harmonic content and can lead to unique and unpredictable sound results, making them popular in experimental music.
2. Composers like Alvin Lucier have famously used feedback systems in their works, such as 'I Am Sitting in a Room,' which explores the acoustics of space through feedback.
3. In live performance, feedback can be controlled in real-time, allowing performers to shape their sound dynamically based on audience response or environmental conditions.
4. Feedback systems require careful management to prevent undesirable effects like uncontrolled distortion or noise, which can overpower the intended sound.
5. Different types of feedback can be employed creatively, such as positive feedback for amplification and negative feedback for stability in sound processing.

Review Questions

• How do feedback systems enhance live electronic performances, and what role do they play in sound manipulation?
  • Feedback systems enhance live electronic performances by creating a continuous interaction between the sound source and processing equipment. This interaction allows performers to manipulate sound dynamically, as changes in output can directly influence future inputs. As a result, performers can explore intricate sound textures and respond to their environment in real-time, leading to unique sonic experiences that evolve throughout the performance.
• Evaluate the implications of using feedback systems in works by notable composers like Alvin Lucier. What artistic outcomes do they achieve?
  • Using feedback systems in works by composers like Alvin Lucier leads to fascinating artistic outcomes, particularly in exploring the relationship between sound and space. For instance, Lucier's 'I Am Sitting in a Room' utilizes the acoustics of a specific environment to transform spoken words into resonant sound patterns through feedback. This approach highlights how feedback systems can unveil hidden sonic qualities of spaces and challenge traditional notions of performance and listening.
• Synthesize an understanding of feedback systems by analyzing their role in the evolution of experimental music. How have they shaped contemporary practices?
  • Feedback systems have significantly influenced the evolution of experimental music by introducing new methods for sound exploration and composition. By allowing composers and performers to manipulate audio in real-time through interactive processes, these systems have paved the way for contemporary practices that embrace unpredictability and spontaneity. This synthesis of technology and artistry encourages musicians to experiment with audio characteristics that reflect their unique perspectives while continuously pushing the boundaries of what music can be.

Related terms

Latency: The delay between the input of a signal and its processed output, which can affect the timing and interaction in feedback systems.

Feedback Loop: A circuit or system where a portion of the output signal is fed back into the input, often used in synthesizers and effects processors to create varying sounds.

Sound Synthesis: The process of generating sound using electronic means, often employing feedback systems to create complex audio textures and layers.