Modes of Vibration

Italian classically trained composer and transmedia electronic artist Gadi Sassoon unveils a cutting-edge three-piece album Modes of Vibration consisting of 12 tracks, a unique live performance, and an innovative virtual instrument.

Modes of Vibration marks Gadi Sassoon's third full-length release.Where previous works explored digitised and mathematically modelled instruments, this time, Sassoon turns to the physical world. The first six of the twelve tracks capture unique resonances recorded during a live performance of the album's accompanying installation—a sculpture-based synth built from four metal plates and electronics, designed for specific acoustic properties. Inspired by the visual and physical aspects of vibrating surfaces, Sassoon transforms his installation into a living instrument and extension of his electronic violin, where audiences can witness the direct interplay between structure and sound. The remaining six tracks extend this concept, exploring human and organic resonance through vocal and instrumental additions, synthetic permutations via Sassoon's analogue studio and experimental algorithms, culminating in two organic-synthetic duets: a dialogue between Sassoon's orchestral arrangement and an AI trained ethically on 10 hours of his music, and a live piano performance enhanced by digital twins of both the artist and the installation.

"The whole thing is a big experiment between the virtual and tangible, and the album sits in the middle as the nexus between these things," says Sassoon.

Recorded at Moonwalk Studio in Brescia, Italy, Infinity Studios in Milan, Italy and the Swiss Alps, the album encapsulates Sassoon's installation's raw yet meticulously engineered sonic landscapes as well as experimentations with acoustic instruments, the human voice, sound synthesis and AI. The result is a mesmerizing ambient electronic album that explores the intersection of physical and digital music creation and classical and electronic performance.

In addition to the album and art installation performance, Modes of Vibration extends its artistic vision with Tetrad—a virtual instrument that encapsulates the sonic properties of the installation. Essentially, this digital twin of the installation enables artists and producers to integrate the unique sonic principles of Sassoon's sculpture-based synth into their work in a studio setting.

"The software is a digital representation and reimagining of the many different ways I have found I can use these plates in installation and performance. The motivation and intuition to create the software was that this could be a versatile and interesting sound design tool too", says Sassoon.