Patchbent Sessions: Contact Mics as Triggers

The Patchbent Sessions are a meeting place and learning community for women, trans, and non-binary people. Each session features a workshop in sound technology presented by local teaching sound artists. 2024 sessions are every Wednesday in October at 6pm.
At this time, Patchbent Sessions and Soft Noise Skillshare are open only to women, trans, non-binary and gender expansive participants in an effort to encourage equity in sound and audio spaces. All levels welcome, no experience necessary. Space is limited, so please reserve your spot by clicking the Donation button on this page.
Presented in partnership with Soft Noise Skillshare. Xadie James will explore their set up using triggers or contact microphones attached to drums. They will go through a step-by-step process of how to set up triggers using a Digital Audio Workstation, using anything you can attach to a microphone to make an instrument or play back found sounds. Using some sample libraries, the group will have the opportunity to use the trigger setup as a group and create some improvised music.
There will be time after the session to connect with the panelists and each other. Light refreshments will be provided.

Xadie James is a Chicago based musician, composer, songwriter, animator, and director. They perform as ‘meek’, is a subversive queer performance that uses sensors attached to drums to trigger samples of synthesizers and drum machines, while simultaneously singing distorted and effected vocals. Xadie is a multi-instrumentalist who has performed double bass with the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, and many other projects on piano, electric bass, guitar, cello, and is a well rounded engineer and producer. They are also a visual artist who specializes in music videos using various forms of stop-animation. You can find them in their home studio building sets, cutting up old magazines, playing piano, and staying up too late drinking tea.

Soft Noise Skillshare is a workshop series highlighting women, trans, and non-binary sound artists and practitioners. Open to all skill levels and experience. Based in Chicago, IL.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Experimental Sound Studio, 5925 North Ravenswood Avenue, Chicago, United States