IMAGO DEI 2 (2024) for Behringer 2600 synthesizer

Arthur B. Hunkins
abhunkin@uncg.edu
www.arthunkins.com


GENERAL

IMAGO DEI 2 is a solo, live-performance piece for Behringer 2600 synthesizer. Essentially it is a reinterpretation of my demo rendition of IMAGO DEI for Csound (my immediately preceding composition). Eight 1/8" mono patchcords plus three 1/8" dummy jacks (or an additional three patchcords) are required for performance. Routing to a stereo amplifier or headphones is from a stereo minijack at the 2600's bottom right. 

SETUP

Various points in the Performance Score are indicated on the accompanying Patch Sheets. These are useful for practice purposes, as they periodically document current controller settings.

Patch Sheet 1 indicates the "Basic Setup," which includes: 1) the layout of the patchcords, 2) the permanent setting of static controls, and 3) the initial setting of variable controls. On Patch Sheet 1, permanent settings are shown by a thinner black line, variable initial settings by a thick one. All other Patch Sheets include only current settings of the variable controls. (Note: Sliders without level markings are inoperative.)

The three Jacks marked with an X (KYBD inputs for VCO's 1-3) require either a dummy plug or one end of an additional patchcord. (Plugging these inputs defeats the default connections).

The loudest point in performance is toward the end of Patch Sheet 6, during the STAY LONG instruction. Amplifier/headphone level should be preset to "quite loud" at this point, and occupy this position for the duration.

PERFORMANCE

The performer's actions are specified in a Performance Score. The indicated events are sequential, one control active at a time except where indicated. Slider movement is moderate-to-slow, at a consistent pace/speed chosen by the performer. Nothing is sudden or jerky. Time may be taken between operations as desired. Certain actions are subject to special instructions (e.g, SLOW, STAY). In general, however, the effect should be of slow, ongoing sonic transformation.

Abbreviations found in the score should be self-explanatory. All of them may be easily paired with text on the 2600's front panel. Score instructions follow the following sequence: MODULENAME(underlined) (default)CONTROLNAME (previous-value) --> new-value. Slider values range from 0-1. (Most sliders have markers at 0, .25, .5, .75 and 1. Sliders with other values are directly specified on the Patch Sheets)

A typical rendering of this piece lasts 15 minutes. (This is the duration of the demo performance included on my website.)

  One Performance Challenge

The only performance issue to be encountered here occurs in the opening series of actions, and culminates in throwing the AR Switch. This sequence requires both hands: one for the manual triggering, the other to work the sliders. The manual triggering is randomly spaced within the parameters specified, and optionally accelerates throughout.

When the AR Manual operation is reached, manual triggering continues, speeding up (if necessary) to match the blinking LED's of the Sample & Hold module. At the same time, triggering gradually becomes regular. When the triggering and LED's precisely match and track each other, the AR Switch is thrown, and triggering becomes automatic. Ideally, the transition from manual to auto triggering should be seamless.