Bergen Centre for Electronic Arts

Acoustic Laptop is a hands-on and exploratory workshop organised in collaboration with nyMusikk Bergen, where participants build their own electroacoustic instrument using contact microphones and self-selected materials. With a DIY approach to sound art, the workshop invites participants to listen to vibrations in wood, metal and other solid materials, and to explore a tactile and physical counterpoint to screen-based laptop music.

11–13 March
BEK – Bergen senter for elektronisk kunst
C. Sundts gate 55, 9th floor
Time: 10:00 – 15:00
Instructor: Knut Olai Mjøs Helle
REGISTRATION

About the workshop

Acoustic Laptop is a two-day workshop at BEK – Bergen Centre for Electronic Arts exploring contact microphones and sound as it travels through materials. We are used to hearing sound moving through air, but vibrations also exist in wood, metal, plastic and other solid matter. With contact microphones, we can listen to these ‘invisible’ sounds.

During the workshop, participants build their own acoustic laptop, a DIY instrument, often in the form of a wooden box filled with self-defined sound-producing materials. The result is a personal electroacoustic instrument shaped equally by imagination and physics.

Inspired by Tore Honoré Bøes’ acoustic laptops, the workshop is grounded in a DIY approach to sound art. Acoustic Laptop can be understood as a tactile and physical counterweight to screen-based laptop music: an instrument where materiality, touch and experimentation are central.

Preparation

Please bring:

• A wooden box (with or without a lid), approximately between cigar-box and beer-crate size
• Objects you would like to incorporate into your instrument

Do you have something that produces an interesting sound, has a particular texture, or simply looks appealing? Bring it along. Different materials have their own “tone” and resonance: wood, glass, metal and stone all sound different, yet they all conduct sound quite well. A piece of cloth is too soft to transmit much sound. 

Programme

Day 1 – Introduction and idea development

Introduction to contact microphones, the acoustic laptop, and related practices. Through discussion, listening sessions and material exploration, we will develop sketches and ideas for our own instruments. The instruments will emerge through the process – nothing needs to be fixed in advance.

Day 2 – Open workshop day

An open working day at BEK’s premises. Participants may work independently and receive guidance if needed. Attendance is not obligatory. Alternatively, the day may be used to source materials or continue working elsewhere.

Day 3 – Building and presentation

We continue building and refining the instruments. Soldering stations and tools for gluing, sawing, drilling and assembly will be available. The aim is not necessarily to produce a ‘finished’ instrument, but to establish a foundation for further exploration.

The day concludes with an informal presentation of the instruments.

Further exploration

The workshop concludes with an introduction to relevant resources and related instruments and techniques, such as the Daxophone, arbrasson, plate/spring reverb, transducers and resonant objects.

BEK Family Day

If participants wish, the instruments may be presented during BEK Family Day, organised in collaboration with Borealis – en festival for eksperimentell musikk. There will be an opportunity to showcase the instruments and possibly perform for the audience.

Knut Olai Mjøs Helle

Knut Helle works with the design of experimental effects processors through Pladask Elektrisk, and leads workshops in soldering guitar pedals through organisations including BandOrg. His practice is multifaceted, often focusing on granular synthesis, feedback and random generators. The work is realised through circuit design, embedded programming and interface design. Knut Helle holds a background in music technology from NTNU, with specialisation in digital signal processing.

nyMusikk

nyMusikk is a nationwide presenter and organisation for contemporary music operating year-round. nyMusikk Bergen (established 1976) is one of its oldest local branches, with activity dating back to the 1970s. The branch presents a wide range of concerts across genres and organises professional forums addressing current topics within contemporary music.

Accessibility

BEK’s space unfortunately is not wheelchair accessible. Please send us an email at bek@bek.no if you’re using a wheelchair, and we’ll do our best to facilitate your needs. Our space has all gender toilet facilities. Service dogs are welcome. We also provide the option of a quiet room.

Image: Instrument by Alexandros Laskakis, graphic by Daiyen Jone Castro