Stories
Payton MacDonald & Super Marimba [Artist Affiliate - pioneering electro-acoustic marimba project]
In this story, MODE is honored to feature Payton MacDonald’s groundbreaking work showcasing the EPK® in his pioneering Super Marimba project. Payton is a visionary innovator of electro-acoustic pitched percussion.
“. . . inventive, stylistically omnivorous composer and gifted performer . . .” (LA Times) “hypnotically beautiful” (NY Times)
Cymaspace [non-profit R&D affiliate- access/inclusion, experimental practice]
“We Make Arts, Cultural & Media Events Accessible & Inclusive To The Deaf & Hard of Hearing Through Technology, Education & Outreach” https://www.cymaspace.org/
Combining the tactile haptics of the high energy tone bar with the spatial and visual acuity of the mallet, makes percussion keyboard a perfect fit for learning. The analog signal of epk® allows the interaction of lights and subsonic vibrations to create an immersive symbiotic experience between the player and audience.
PLORK / Princeton University [academic R&D Grant Affiliate - new instrument practice]
In this story, Mode was a guest at Princeton and Plork’s electro-acoustic lab exploring spatial sound production and research opportunities with the epk®. Plork does amazing work with digital percussion synthesis and unique interfaces that trigger the sounds. Their hemispherical speakers radiate sound 360 degrees using up to 8 direct channels of audio with a sub per unit. The epk® sounded incredible with it’s 5 channels of audio each broadcast on their own Hemi, a very unique electro-acoustic pitched percussion experience, indeed Check out this video showcasing some the great work they do and stay tuned for a hopeful future collaboration.
Simply Marimba [Artist Affiliate - contemporary mallet percussion repertoire]
Early epk® adoptor Chris Nubert is a classically trained percussionist, U.S. Army Band Veteran, performing/recording artist and professional pilot. Mode is excited to share Chris’ fresh takes on classic, well loved repertoire using electronics and carefully selected sound design: https://www.simplymarimba.com/music
Matt Brown [Artist Affiliate - contemporary R&B, Pop, Hip-hop]
Mode is honored to feature South Florida native, Matt Brown, in this story. Known for his blend of fusion, soul, and jazz, his latest single “Find Us” was inspired and composed and produced using the EPK® and features Allegra Miles (American Idol, The Voice).
Norton Art Museum (West Palm Beach, FL).
Eastern Washington University [R&D Grant Affiliate - pedagogical use in a music program (percussion/composition/music technology)]
Southwoods Electronic Music Group [Artist Affiliate - experimental electro-acoustic music, new instrument practice]
Pacific Northwest Percussion Festival [Electro-acoustic percussion “petting zoo”]