Interactive Classic Orchestra & Rap’em high (Disco Fever)
The programmes “Interactive Classic Orchestra” and “Rap’em high” were an integral part of “Piazza virtuale” since the first day of broadcasting. In the programmes, the incoming touch-tone signals from the callers’ phones were used to produce music interactively. For this purpose, the tones of the dialing keys were forwarded by computers to synthesizers that imitated instruments. “Rap’em High” was initially launched under the title “Disco Fever,” but was renamed after just one week on the air.
Video clip of Interactive Orchestra and Rap’em high
Manuel Tessloff, composer and sound technician, explains the interface
Manuel Tessloff, composer and sound technician, on interaction with the audience
Manuel Tessloff, composer and sound technician, on the main theme
Screen shots of Interactive Classic Orchestra, Rap’em high and Disco Fever
The sound studio in Kassel (Photo: Ali Altschaffel, altschaffel.com)
Demonstration of an early prototype of the interactive orchestra
Julian Boyd in the studio in Kassel
Julian Boyd in the studio in Kassel
Manuel Tessloff and Indulis Bilzēns in the studio in Kassel
Behind the scenes of the sound studio of Piazza virtuale, 1992
Documents
Concept, Interface and Midi Set Up