Robert Henke
Encyclopedia
Robert B. Henke is a German computer music
composer and professor of sound design at the Berlin University of the Arts
. He is a co-developer of Ableton Live
music software and founding member of the electronic music project Monolake
. He works and lives in Berlin
.
and techno
culture that emerged in Berlin in the early 1990 and the sonic sophistication and expressiveness of academic computer music. Robert Henke studied computer science at the Technical University of Berlin
and film sound engineering
at the 'Hochschule für Film und Fernsehen' in Potsdam-Babelsberg. In 1995 he founded the project 'Monolake' together with Gerhard Behles, who is now the CEO of Ableton
. Henke's interest in performance of computer based music had a significant influence in the development of Ableton's Live
software. He also built several hardware controllers for his personal use as a performer, most notable the 'Monodeck II'. A central aspect in his works is the placement of sound
s in real or virtual spaces. Henke is pioneering the use of multichannel audio in the electronic dance music culture with his surround sound
performances, and is using techniques such as Ambisonics
or Wave Field Synthesis
as well as multiple video projection to achieve a high degree of immersion
. Henke also developed the software for series of audiovisual network performances called Atlantic Waves. Since 2009 Robert Henke is teaching sound design
at the Sound Studies department of the Berlin University of Arts. His music is released on his own label
imbalance computer music.
piece, augmented with transformations of water drops. The work has been derived from a sound installation
he did at the Hochschule für Film und Fernsehen in Potsdam in 1993. The concept of transformation is present in all his solo works, most notable in 'Layering Buddha' (2006), which contains a series of compositions derived from loops
of the FM3 Buddha Machine, and on "Atom/Document" (2008) where the musical patterns are driving the LED
s of a 3D sculpture of a matrix of 64 helium filled balloons. In his composition "Studies for Thunder" (2004) he uses iterative
and stochastic
processes in order to create an artificial thunderstorm, transforming a single burst of noise into a complex succession of diffuse reflections
that form a hyper-realistic sonic environment. Most of his more recent works are multichannel pieces that are not released on physical carriers or as files, but can only be experienced in a concert
situation. These works include performances for Wave Field Synthesis systems and for the INA/GRM acousmonium
.
is a collaborative project, founded in 1995 by Robert Henke and Gerhard Behles, who stopped being an active member in 1999 due to his involvement with Ableton. Monolake became a solo project of Robert Henke, with occasional support by Torsten Pröfrock / T++, most notable for the CD release Polygon Cities (2006). As a studio
project Monolake is defined as an "'open project'", led by Robert Henke but potentially open for other collaborators as well. Since 2009 Monolake Live performances have a visual
component created by Dutch artist Tarik Barri.
s" Henke describes multiple issues of computer based music performance
. Robert Henke performs a variety of different works, each with a different focus and angle on the nature of performance.
based electronic dance music concerts. The basic concept for the Monolake performances since then is the ability to switch between different states or patterns in real-time and adding expression by altering the sound those patterns trigger or contain. The concept later became popular as 'Session View' in their Ableton Live
music software. In order to be able to gain more haptic
control and more intuitive access to structure and sound, Henke started building MIDI controllers
(Monodeck, Monodeck II) and explores the possibilities of touch surfaces (iPad
) for musical interaction
. Since early 2009 Monolake Live performances explore surround sound
and also include a visual component by Dutch artist Tarik Barri. During the concerts, Barri is navigating in realtime through an imaginary 3D
landscape using his own software, 'Versum'. In 2010 Henke and Barri were granted a residency at EMPAC, Troy to develop a Monolake Live performance with 24 audio channels in a dome
arrangement, paired with six channels of video.
and in a version for the large wave field synthesis
array at the Berlin Technical University.
balloons which can be adjusted dynamically in height using computer controlled winch
es. Each balloon contains a white LED
. During the Atom performance, Bauder morphs through several arrangements of the balloons and shapes a temporary sculpture
, whilst Henke controls the brightness
of the LEDs synchronized with musical events. The connection with the sound is very rigid, resulting in a synaesthetic experience for the audience.
concert between Robert Henke in Berlin and Scott Montieth "(Deadbeat)" in Montréal. It allows two users
to work on the same pattern in real time whilst being located in different places. The interface has been designed with the aim of being projected during concerts and to act as a graphical score, which allows the audience to follow the typically invisible actions of the performers. Atlantic Waves also contains a built-in chat
function, which is also used during the concert as a second channel of interaction
between the performers. The projected interface is a mirror
of the interface present on the performer's screen, which makes all actions transparent. The Atlantic Waves software has been developed further until 2007. During later performances, a graphical deconstruction process of the interface and the resulting uncertainty
in sonic results became an integral part of the performance. A variation of the Atlantic Waves software has also been used for an installation
version of Atlantic Waves and a further refined version of it called 'Linear Grid'.
surrounding the audience and eight channel audio. Fundamental Forces combines ultra high resolution 3D
images created by Tarik Barri and music by Robert Henke to form a narrative abstract movie. In its current (March 2011) state the video has to be pre-rendered
to achieve the desired resolution, whilst sound is created and manipulated in real-time during the screening.
.
. The software became one of the most influential tools for music production and changed the way electronic music is performed and produced. Henke designed the audio effects of the early versions of Live, he wrote the Operator
synthesiszer and is a member of the general specification team at Ableton
. Henke is a driving force behind the integration of Max MSP into Live, called MaxForLive.
built 2002 by Robert Henke for his Monolake
Live performances, enabling haptic access to several functions of Ableton Live
. In 2005-2006, he built a second, extended version the 'Monodeck II'. Monodeck II was never marketed commercially, however some of its concepts have been adopted by Akai
in 2010 for their Live controller 'APC-40'.
. Henke is part of the development team, and released a number of free devices for it, most notable a version of the PX-18 step sequencer and an extensive Granular Synthesizer
.
Computer music
Computer music is a term that was originally used within academia to describe a field of study relating to the applications of computing technology in music composition; particularly that stemming from the Western art music tradition...
composer and professor of sound design at the Berlin University of the Arts
Berlin University of the Arts
The Universität der Künste Berlin, UdK is a public art school in Berlin, Germany, one of the four universities in the city...
. He is a co-developer of Ableton Live
Ableton Live
Ableton Live is a loop-based software music sequencer and DAW for Mac OS and Windows by Ableton. The latest major release of Live, Version 8, was released in April 2009. In contrast to many other software sequencers, Live is designed to be an instrument for live performances as well as a tool for...
music software and founding member of the electronic music project Monolake
Monolake
Monolake is an electronic music act based in Berlin. Originally consisting of members Gerhard Behles and Robert Henke, Monolake is now perpetuated by Henke while Behles focuses on running music software company Ableton, which they founded in 1999 together with Bernd Roggendorf...
. He works and lives in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
.
Influences
Robert Henke's music combines influences from the electronic dance musicElectronic dance music
Electronic dance music is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered upon dance-based entertainment...
and techno
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
culture that emerged in Berlin in the early 1990 and the sonic sophistication and expressiveness of academic computer music. Robert Henke studied computer science at the Technical University of Berlin
Technical University of Berlin
The Technische Universität Berlin is a research university located in Berlin, Germany. Translating the name into English is discouraged by the university, however paraphrasing as Berlin Institute of Technology is recommended by the university if necessary .The TU Berlin was founded...
and film sound engineering
Audio engineering
An audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
at the 'Hochschule für Film und Fernsehen' in Potsdam-Babelsberg. In 1995 he founded the project 'Monolake' together with Gerhard Behles, who is now the CEO of Ableton
Ableton
Ableton AG is a Berlin-based music software company that produces and distributes the production and performance suite Ableton Live and a collection of related instruments and sample libraries.- History :...
. Henke's interest in performance of computer based music had a significant influence in the development of Ableton's Live
Ableton Live
Ableton Live is a loop-based software music sequencer and DAW for Mac OS and Windows by Ableton. The latest major release of Live, Version 8, was released in April 2009. In contrast to many other software sequencers, Live is designed to be an instrument for live performances as well as a tool for...
software. He also built several hardware controllers for his personal use as a performer, most notable the 'Monodeck II'. A central aspect in his works is the placement of sound
Sound
Sound is a mechanical wave that is an oscillation of pressure transmitted through a solid, liquid, or gas, composed of frequencies within the range of hearing and of a level sufficiently strong to be heard, or the sensation stimulated in organs of hearing by such vibrations.-Propagation of...
s in real or virtual spaces. Henke is pioneering the use of multichannel audio in the electronic dance music culture with his surround sound
Surround sound
Surround sound encompasses a range of techniques such as for enriching the sound reproduction quality of an audio source with audio channels reproduced via additional, discrete speakers. Surround sound is characterized by a listener location or sweet spot where the audio effects work best, and...
performances, and is using techniques such as Ambisonics
Ambisonics
Ambisonics is a series of recording and replay techniques using multichannel mixing technology that can be used live or in the studio. By encoding and decoding sound information on a number of channels, a 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional sound field can be presented...
or Wave Field Synthesis
Wave field synthesis
Wave field synthesis is a spatial audio rendering technique, characterized by creation of virtual acoustic environments. It produces "artificial" wave fronts synthesized by a large number of individually driven speakers. Such wave fronts seem to originate from a virtual starting point, the virtual...
as well as multiple video projection to achieve a high degree of immersion
Immersion (virtual reality)
Immersion is the state of consciousness where an immersant's awareness of physical self is diminished or lost by being surrounded in an engrossing total environment; often artificial. This mental state is frequently accompanied with spatial excess, intense focus, a distorted sense of time, and...
. Henke also developed the software for series of audiovisual network performances called Atlantic Waves. Since 2009 Robert Henke is teaching sound design
Sound design
Sound design is the process of specifying, acquiring, manipulating or generating audio elements. It is employed in a variety of disciplines including filmmaking, television production, theatre, sound recording and reproduction, live performance, sound art, post-production and video game software...
at the Sound Studies department of the Berlin University of Arts. His music is released on his own label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
imbalance computer music.
Solo works
Robert Henke's first release, Piercing Music (1994) is a single 60 minute long droneDrone music
Drone music is a minimalist musical style that emphasizes the use of sustained or repeated sounds, notes, or tone-clusters – called drones. It is typically characterized by lengthy audio programs with relatively slight harmonic variations throughout each piece compared to other musics...
piece, augmented with transformations of water drops. The work has been derived from a sound installation
Sound installation
Sound installation is an intermedia and time based art form. It is an expansion of an art installation in the sense that it includes the sound element and therefore the time element...
he did at the Hochschule für Film und Fernsehen in Potsdam in 1993. The concept of transformation is present in all his solo works, most notable in 'Layering Buddha' (2006), which contains a series of compositions derived from loops
Music loop
In electroacoustic music, a loop is a repeating section of sound material. Short sections of material can be repeated to create ostinato patterns...
of the FM3 Buddha Machine, and on "Atom/Document" (2008) where the musical patterns are driving the LED
LEd
LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product....
s of a 3D sculpture of a matrix of 64 helium filled balloons. In his composition "Studies for Thunder" (2004) he uses iterative
Iterated function
In mathematics, an iterated function is a function which is composed with itself, possibly ad infinitum, in a process called iteration. In this process, starting from some initial value, the result of applying a given function is fed again in the function as input, and this process is repeated...
and stochastic
Stochastic
Stochastic refers to systems whose behaviour is intrinsically non-deterministic. A stochastic process is one whose behavior is non-deterministic, in that a system's subsequent state is determined both by the process's predictable actions and by a random element. However, according to M. Kac and E...
processes in order to create an artificial thunderstorm, transforming a single burst of noise into a complex succession of diffuse reflections
Reflection (physics)
Reflection is the change in direction of a wavefront at an interface between two differentmedia so that the wavefront returns into the medium from which it originated. Common examples include the reflection of light, sound and water waves...
that form a hyper-realistic sonic environment. Most of his more recent works are multichannel pieces that are not released on physical carriers or as files, but can only be experienced in a concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
situation. These works include performances for Wave Field Synthesis systems and for the INA/GRM acousmonium
Acousmonium
The Acousmonium is the sound diffusion system designed in 1974 by Francois Bayle and used originally by the Groupe de Recherches Musicales at the Maison de Radio France. It consists of 80 loudspeakers of differing size and shape, and was designed for tape playback...
.
Monolake
MonolakeMonolake
Monolake is an electronic music act based in Berlin. Originally consisting of members Gerhard Behles and Robert Henke, Monolake is now perpetuated by Henke while Behles focuses on running music software company Ableton, which they founded in 1999 together with Bernd Roggendorf...
is a collaborative project, founded in 1995 by Robert Henke and Gerhard Behles, who stopped being an active member in 1999 due to his involvement with Ableton. Monolake became a solo project of Robert Henke, with occasional support by Torsten Pröfrock / T++, most notable for the CD release Polygon Cities (2006). As a studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
project Monolake is defined as an "'open project'", led by Robert Henke but potentially open for other collaborators as well. Since 2009 Monolake Live performances have a visual
Graphics
Graphics are visual presentations on some surface, such as a wall, canvas, computer screen, paper, or stone to brand, inform, illustrate, or entertain. Examples are photographs, drawings, Line Art, graphs, diagrams, typography, numbers, symbols, geometric designs, maps, engineering drawings,or...
component created by Dutch artist Tarik Barri.
Concept
In his article "Live Performance in the Age of SupercomputerSupercomputer
A supercomputer is a computer at the frontline of current processing capacity, particularly speed of calculation.Supercomputers are used for highly calculation-intensive tasks such as problems including quantum physics, weather forecasting, climate research, molecular modeling A supercomputer is a...
s" Henke describes multiple issues of computer based music performance
Performance
A performance, in performing arts, generally comprises an event in which a performer or group of performers behave in a particular way for another group of people, the audience. Choral music and ballet are examples. Usually the performers participate in rehearsals beforehand. Afterwards audience...
. Robert Henke performs a variety of different works, each with a different focus and angle on the nature of performance.
Monolake Live
In the 1990 Gerhard Behles and Robert Henke developed a Max based sequencer application called 'PX-18', which allowed them to perform improvised, patternPattern
A pattern, from the French patron, is a type of theme of recurring events or objects, sometimes referred to as elements of a set of objects.These elements repeat in a predictable manner...
based electronic dance music concerts. The basic concept for the Monolake performances since then is the ability to switch between different states or patterns in real-time and adding expression by altering the sound those patterns trigger or contain. The concept later became popular as 'Session View' in their Ableton Live
Ableton Live
Ableton Live is a loop-based software music sequencer and DAW for Mac OS and Windows by Ableton. The latest major release of Live, Version 8, was released in April 2009. In contrast to many other software sequencers, Live is designed to be an instrument for live performances as well as a tool for...
music software. In order to be able to gain more haptic
Haptic perception
Haptic perception is the process of recognizing objects through touch. It involves a combination of somatosensory perception of patterns on the skin surface and proprioception of hand position and conformation....
control and more intuitive access to structure and sound, Henke started building MIDI controllers
MIDI controller
MIDI controller is used in two senses.*In one sense, a controller is hardware or software which generates and transmits MIDI data to MIDI-enabled devices....
(Monodeck, Monodeck II) and explores the possibilities of touch surfaces (iPad
IPad
The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 by Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs. Its size and...
) for musical interaction
Interaction
Interaction is a kind of action that occurs as two or more objects have an effect upon one another. The idea of a two-way effect is essential in the concept of interaction, as opposed to a one-way causal effect...
. Since early 2009 Monolake Live performances explore surround sound
Surround sound
Surround sound encompasses a range of techniques such as for enriching the sound reproduction quality of an audio source with audio channels reproduced via additional, discrete speakers. Surround sound is characterized by a listener location or sweet spot where the audio effects work best, and...
and also include a visual component by Dutch artist Tarik Barri. During the concerts, Barri is navigating in realtime through an imaginary 3D
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
landscape using his own software, 'Versum'. In 2010 Henke and Barri were granted a residency at EMPAC, Troy to develop a Monolake Live performance with 24 audio channels in a dome
Dome
A dome is a structural element of architecture that resembles the hollow upper half of a sphere. Dome structures made of various materials have a long architectural lineage extending into prehistory....
arrangement, paired with six channels of video.
Other Multichannel Works
Robert Henke performs multichannel versions of some of his released works and dedicated multichannel works, which are not released and only exist in concert versions. In contrast to his Monolake concerts, these events are usually happening in darkness, with a seated audience, and the performer located in the center. Notable works are multichannel versions of 'Studies for Thunder', created 2005 at the Electronic Studio of the Berlin Technical University, 'Layering Buddha', and Tau (2011), which exists in a version for the INA/GRM acousmoniumAcousmonium
The Acousmonium is the sound diffusion system designed in 1974 by Francois Bayle and used originally by the Groupe de Recherches Musicales at the Maison de Radio France. It consists of 80 loudspeakers of differing size and shape, and was designed for tape playback...
and in a version for the large wave field synthesis
Wave field synthesis
Wave field synthesis is a spatial audio rendering technique, characterized by creation of virtual acoustic environments. It produces "artificial" wave fronts synthesized by a large number of individually driven speakers. Such wave fronts seem to originate from a virtual starting point, the virtual...
array at the Berlin Technical University.
Atom
Atom is a collaboration between Christopher Bauder and Robert Henke. Bauder developed a matrix of 64 heliumHelium
Helium is the chemical element with atomic number 2 and an atomic weight of 4.002602, which is represented by the symbol He. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, inert, monatomic gas that heads the noble gas group in the periodic table...
balloons which can be adjusted dynamically in height using computer controlled winch
Winch
A winch is a mechanical device that is used to pull in or let out or otherwise adjust the "tension" of a rope or wire rope . In its simplest form it consists of a spool and attached hand crank. In larger forms, winches stand at the heart of machines as diverse as tow trucks, steam shovels and...
es. Each balloon contains a white LED
LEd
LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product....
. During the Atom performance, Bauder morphs through several arrangements of the balloons and shapes a temporary sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
, whilst Henke controls the brightness
Brightness
Brightness is an attribute of visual perception in which a source appears to be radiating or reflecting light. In other words, brightness is the perception elicited by the luminance of a visual target...
of the LEDs synchronized with musical events. The connection with the sound is very rigid, resulting in a synaesthetic experience for the audience.
Atlantic Waves
Atlantic Waves is a graphical step sequencer application based on a Max patch, created in 2002 as a tool for a specific improvisedImprovisation
Improvisation is the practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one's immediate environment and inner feelings. This can result in the invention of new thought patterns, new practices, new structures or symbols, and/or...
concert between Robert Henke in Berlin and Scott Montieth "(Deadbeat)" in Montréal. It allows two users
User (computing)
A user is an agent, either a human agent or software agent, who uses a computer or network service. A user often has a user account and is identified by a username , screen name , nickname , or handle, which is derived from the identical Citizen's Band radio term.Users are...
to work on the same pattern in real time whilst being located in different places. The interface has been designed with the aim of being projected during concerts and to act as a graphical score, which allows the audience to follow the typically invisible actions of the performers. Atlantic Waves also contains a built-in chat
Online chat
Online chat may refer to any kind of communication over the Internet, that offers an instantaneous transmission of text-based messages from sender to receiver, hence the delay for visual access to the sent message shall not hamper the flow of communications in any of the directions...
function, which is also used during the concert as a second channel of interaction
Interaction
Interaction is a kind of action that occurs as two or more objects have an effect upon one another. The idea of a two-way effect is essential in the concept of interaction, as opposed to a one-way causal effect...
between the performers. The projected interface is a mirror
Mirror (computing)
In computing, a mirror is an exact copy of a data set. On the Internet, a mirror site is an exact copy of another Internet site.Mirror sites are most commonly used to provide multiple sources of the same information, and are of particular value as a way of providing reliable access to large downloads...
of the interface present on the performer's screen, which makes all actions transparent. The Atlantic Waves software has been developed further until 2007. During later performances, a graphical deconstruction process of the interface and the resulting uncertainty
Uncertainty
Uncertainty is a term used in subtly different ways in a number of fields, including physics, philosophy, statistics, economics, finance, insurance, psychology, sociology, engineering, and information science...
in sonic results became an integral part of the performance. A variation of the Atlantic Waves software has also been used for an installation
Installation art
Installation art describes an artistic genre of three-dimensional works that are often site-specific and designed to transform the perception of a space. Generally, the term is applied to interior spaces, whereas exterior interventions are often called Land art; however, the boundaries between...
version of Atlantic Waves and a further refined version of it called 'Linear Grid'.
Fundamental Forces
Fundamental Forces is a project originally developed for a performance with the RML Cinechamber in February 2011, a setup of ten video screensProjection screen
A projection screen is an installation consisting of a surface and a support structure used for displaying a projected image for the view of an audience. Projection screens may be permanently installed, as in a movie theater; painted on the wall; or semi-permanent or mobile, as in a conference room...
surrounding the audience and eight channel audio. Fundamental Forces combines ultra high resolution 3D
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
images created by Tarik Barri and music by Robert Henke to form a narrative abstract movie. In its current (March 2011) state the video has to be pre-rendered
Rendering (computer graphics)
Rendering is the process of generating an image from a model , by means of computer programs. A scene file contains objects in a strictly defined language or data structure; it would contain geometry, viewpoint, texture, lighting, and shading information as a description of the virtual scene...
to achieve the desired resolution, whilst sound is created and manipulated in real-time during the screening.
Concept
Apart of playing live concerts, Robert Henke has also realised a number of installations. The interaction between sound and space is a vital parameter in these works.Atlantic Wave Terminals
Atlantic Wave Terminals is derived from the Atlantic Waves performance application. It consists of an installation with two terminals that allow people to play music together in real time, whilst being far away.Cyclone
Cyclone is a commissioned work for the Dispatch festival. 8 channels of sound are located in a ring, while the sound generation is driven by a Max patch which is intuitively controlled by a matrix of 16 x 16 buttons with LEDs that is based on a MonomeMonome
Monome is a family of interface devices for computers made by a Pennsylvania company of the same name. Despite being produced irregularly in small quantities since its introduction in 2006, the Monome button-grid controller has had a significant impact on electronic music...
.
Transition Machine
Transition machine is an audiovisual Installation that was commissioned by the Fargfabriken gallery in Stockholm. A multitude of dismantled video displays, computers and loudspeakers are suspended from the ceiling and evoke associations of a mechanical yet organic and seemingly alive organism.Ableton Live
In 1999 Gerhard Behles, Robert Henke, and a number of software developers started working on a new type of music software, called LiveAbleton Live
Ableton Live is a loop-based software music sequencer and DAW for Mac OS and Windows by Ableton. The latest major release of Live, Version 8, was released in April 2009. In contrast to many other software sequencers, Live is designed to be an instrument for live performances as well as a tool for...
. The software became one of the most influential tools for music production and changed the way electronic music is performed and produced. Henke designed the audio effects of the early versions of Live, he wrote the Operator
Ableton Operator
Operator is a software synthesizer included in Ableton Live. It is a frequency modulation synthesizer with 4 oscillators with individually assignable waveforms. It works only inside Ableton Live. Operator is unique in that each oscillator's waveform can be custom crafted through additive...
synthesiszer and is a member of the general specification team at Ableton
Ableton
Ableton AG is a Berlin-based music software company that produces and distributes the production and performance suite Ableton Live and a collection of related instruments and sample libraries.- History :...
. Henke is a driving force behind the integration of Max MSP into Live, called MaxForLive.
Monodeck
The 'Monodeck' was a MIDI controllerMIDI controller
MIDI controller is used in two senses.*In one sense, a controller is hardware or software which generates and transmits MIDI data to MIDI-enabled devices....
built 2002 by Robert Henke for his Monolake
Monolake
Monolake is an electronic music act based in Berlin. Originally consisting of members Gerhard Behles and Robert Henke, Monolake is now perpetuated by Henke while Behles focuses on running music software company Ableton, which they founded in 1999 together with Bernd Roggendorf...
Live performances, enabling haptic access to several functions of Ableton Live
Ableton Live
Ableton Live is a loop-based software music sequencer and DAW for Mac OS and Windows by Ableton. The latest major release of Live, Version 8, was released in April 2009. In contrast to many other software sequencers, Live is designed to be an instrument for live performances as well as a tool for...
. In 2005-2006, he built a second, extended version the 'Monodeck II'. Monodeck II was never marketed commercially, however some of its concepts have been adopted by Akai
Akai
Akai is a consumer electronics brand, founded by Saburo Akai as , a Japanese manufacturer in 1929. It is now headquartered in Singapore as a subsidiary of Grande Holdings, a Hong Kong-based conglomerate, which also owns the formerly Japanese brands Nakamichi and Sansui. The Akai brand is now used...
in 2010 for their Live controller 'APC-40'.
Max for Live
MaxForLive is a version of the Max programming environment, hosted in Ableton LiveAbleton Live
Ableton Live is a loop-based software music sequencer and DAW for Mac OS and Windows by Ableton. The latest major release of Live, Version 8, was released in April 2009. In contrast to many other software sequencers, Live is designed to be an instrument for live performances as well as a tool for...
. Henke is part of the development team, and released a number of free devices for it, most notable a version of the PX-18 step sequencer and an extensive Granular Synthesizer
Granular synthesis
Granular synthesis is a basic sound synthesis method that operates on the microsound time scale.It is based on the same principle as sampling. However, the samples are not played back conventionally, but are instead split into small pieces of around 1 to 50ms. These small pieces are called grains...
.
Granulator
The Granulator is a free snthesiszer for Max4Live. It serves as a prototpye to show that it is possible to build a serious instrument in Max4Live, but was also developed by Robert Henke because of a personal interest in this specific kind of synthesis.Professor for Sound Design at the Berlin University of the Arts
Since 2009, Robert Henke is a permanent guest lecturer and Professor for sound design at the Sound Studies department of the University of Arts in Berlin.Lectures
Robert Henke regularly lectures about music production, interface design, Ableton Live and composition of computer music in selected universities and conferences.Writings
Robert Henke has published a number of articles and interviews on subjects related to computer music and live performance, most notably on live performance in the age of super computing, mastering and using the computer for composing.Selected Releases
- Piercing Music (1994)
- Honkong (1997)
- Interstate (1998)
- Gravity (2000)
- Momentum (2003)
- Layering Buddha (2006)
- Silence (2009)