Turntable-Based Electronic Music and Embodied Audience Interaction

Tak Cheung Hui; Xiaoqiao Li; Yu Chia Kuo

Turntable-Based Electronic Music and Embodied Audience Interaction

Abstract:

Rings… Through Rings transforms archival maps of Hong Kong’s military fortifications into playable surfaces for turntable-based electronic music. Laser-etched discs encode cartographic data, producing sonic textures manipulated through turntables and enhanced by audio techniques like cross-synthesis, concatenative synthesis, and spatialization. Grounded in theories of transcoding, productive agency, and participatory culture, the project reimagines the turntable as a cultural interface, bridging analog heritage with computational sound. This hybrid system blends pre-composed musical structures with real-time audience interaction, allowing participants to alter playback, swap discs, and influence spatial audio. By merging cartography, sound, and participatory design, the work offers a collaborative, multisensory approach to intangible heritage. Future developments include expanded spatial configurations, real-time disc fabrication, and AI integration to deepen engagement and cultural reinterpretation.