Frequency,
Amplitude and Time
by Aaron Acosta
Aaron Acosta, Santa Fé, 2004
Audio CD-ROM, 13 tracks, $15.95
Artists website: http://www.home.earthlink.net/~benkei/.
Reviewed by Stefaan Van Ryssen
Hogeschool Gent
Jan Delvinlaan 115, 9000 Gent, Belgium
stefaan.vanryssen@pandora.be
Basically, the thirteen tracks on this
CD all follow the same simple plan: an
introduction with sounds from a certain
class of sources, some modification, mixing
and modulation of these recognisable samples,
addition of an electronically generated
bass or drum line and a short finale with
the original sounds. The sound sources
are easily recognisable: traffic, medical,
earth, wind, fire and water, and phone
noises. The compositions are simple and
unsurprising, easy to follow and pleasant.
Nothing is experimental; there are no
deeper layers of meaning or structural
complexity. In fact, the tracks can hardly
be called compositions at all. With their
pop song-like structure and elementary
beats, they are at most amusing or cute
little fait-divers.
The CD cover says: "Aaron Acosta is a
graduate from the College of Santa Fe
with a BA in Sound Design in Media in
2002. This is a Self Designed major that
consists of studies in Theatre, Film,
and Music. He enjoys designing soundscapes
for theatre and film and he has many skills
as far as theatre and film production.
What he loves most is sound. Sound helps
us interpret the world in a unique way
with frequency, amplitude and time: he
chooses to explore these realms. He is
involved with electro acoustic composition
as well as more traditional composition.
He is currently working as Technical Director/
Resident Designer for Santa Fe Performing
Arts."