Publications

Angelo Fraietta has spoken at conferences in Australia and abroad and has been published in various journals.

1998

Algorithmic Composer

Honours thesis, University of Western Sydney.

I was awarded the Sydney Mechanics School of Arts Award in Theoretical Studies for the thesis and graduated with First Class Honours 1n 1999.

2001

Smart budgeting for a Smart Controller

In proceedings of Waveform 2001: the Australasian Computer Music Conference, 12-14 July. University of Western Sydney.

2002

Smart Controller: Artist Talk

In proceedings of Form, space, time: the Australasian Computer Music Conference, 6-8 July. Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.

Writing a device driver using MIDI system exclusive messages

Chroma (32):15-18.

Chroma is the occasional newsletter of the Australasian Computer Music Association

2003

The Smart Controller: shifting performance boundaries

In proceedings of Boundaryless music: the International Computer Music Conference, 29 September – 4 October. National University of Singapore.

The Smart Controller

Sounds Unlimited: building the instruments: Sounds Australian — Journal of the Australian Music Centre (62):22.

Incremental sound installation development using the Smart Controller

In proceedings of Converging Technologies: the Australasian Computer Music Conference, 5-7 July 2003. Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Edith Cowan University.

Using test harnesses for debugging

Chroma (34):8-10.

Chroma is the occasional newsletter of the Australasian Computer Music Association

2005

The Smart Controller Workbench

In proceedings of the International Conference on New Musical Interfaces for Music Expression (NIME-2005)

Smart Controller / Bell Garden Demo

In proceedings of the International Conference on New Musical Interfaces for Music Expression (NIME-2005)

Porting Max Patches to the Smart Controller

In proceedings of Generate and Test: the Australasian Computer Music Conference. 2005. Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane

In this article, Angelo speaks about why he composes and builds instruments. He also speaks about the meaning of life and the concept of “Art for Arts sake” in the context of nature and absolute truth.

Calculating the optimal fixed resistor value in voltage divider sensor circuits

Chroma (36):6-10.

2006

The Smart Controller: an integrated electronic instrument for real-time performance using programmable logic control

Submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, University of Western Sydney.

Abstract

Many contemporary composers and sound artists are using sensing systems, based on control voltage to MIDI converters and laptop computers running algorithmic composition software, to create interactive instruments and responsive environments. Using an integrated device that encapsulates the entire system for performance can reduce latency, improve system stability, and reduce setup complexity.

This research addresses the issues of how one can develop such a device, including the techniques one would use to make the design easily upgradable as newer technologies become available, the programming interface that should be employed for use by artists and composers, the knowledge bases and specialist expert skills that can be utilised to gain the required information to design and build such devices, and the low-cost hardware and software development tools appropriate for such a task.

This research resulted in the development of the Smart Controller, a portable hardware/software device that allows performers to create music using programmable logic control. The device can be programmed remotely through the use of a patch editor or Workbench, which is an independent computer application that simulates and communicates with the hardware. The Smart Controller responds to input control voltages, Open Sound Control, and MIDI messages, producing output control voltages, Open Sound Control, and MIDI messages (depending upon the patch ). The Smart Controller is a stand alone device-a powerful, reliable, and compact instrument-capable of reducing the number of electronic modules required in a live performance or sound installation, particularly the requirement for a laptop computer.

The success of this research was significantly facilitated through the use of the iterative development technique known as the Unified process instead of the traditional Waterfall model; and through the use of the RTEMS real-time operating system as the underlying scheduling system for the embedded hardware, an operating system originally designed for guided missile systems.

2008

Open Sound Control: Constraints and Limitations

In proceedings of the International Conference on New Musical Interfaces for Music Expression (NIME-2008)