The Clocksmith

for flute and fixed media

Background:

            The Clocksmith was written with an imaginary character in mind: a tinkering older gentleman fixing clocks in his shop, surrounded by gears and antique grandfather clocks. He is happiest in the quiet when left to his thoughts and musings on the inner workings of time-keepers. The piece opens with a statement of the Westminster Chimes and slowly builds until sweeping orchestral lines accompany the soaring flute part. When the piece reaches its most soaring point, the flutist should strive for long phrases and a strong, open sound. In general, The Clocksmith switches between tinkly, sparkly, crisply articulated passages in the flute and long, soaring, resonant melodic lines. 

Equipment:

To perform the works on this album that call for fixed media, this is the basic equipment you will need:

·      A computer to play the fixed media file from.

·      A set of speakers connected to the computer directed towards the audience and, if necessary, a monitor speaker directed back at the performer. Many of the works for flute and fixed media on this album do not require a click track if the performer is able to hear the fixed media file well enough.

To control the balance between the fixed media and live flute in addition to adding live reverb, the live flute may be amplified. I find that micing the live flute helps it blend better with fixed media sounds. To accomplish this, I would recommend the following setup:

·      A computer to play the fixed media file from. Optionally, one could use a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) to add live reverb to the flute microphone input. 

·      Dynamic microphone (this choice will be explained in the following section) and microphone stand.

·      XLR cable with male and female ends. 

·      An audio interface or mixer connecting the computer, microphone input, and speaker output. One of the least expensive options for a basic audio interface with one XLR analog input and one Dual RCA stereo analog output is the Behringer U-Phoria UM2 USB Audio Interface. Audio interfaces range in quality and varying quantities of available inputs and outputs; choose one that fits your goal functionality. You could also use the Mackie Mix12FX 12-channel Compact Mixer with Effects described in Chapter 4, which comes with even more live performance versatility and the ability to easily add live effects/reverb right on the mixer.

·      A set of speakers connected to the computer directed towards the audience and, if necessary, a monitor speaker directed back at the performer.