Schreck Laboratory: Stratifier

There has long been the desire to be able to play electronic equipment and computers in the manner of real musical instruments. Within Schreck, Arie van Schutterhoef has taken the initiative to actually design and build an electronic instrument to meet this need. This idea has been realised as part of the project The Day, resulting in the construction of the Stratifier. Arie van Schutterhoef is the first and, so far, the only person to play this instrument.

The Stratifier looks like a simple flat wooden box with twelve touch pads on the upper side for playing the instrument. While simple in appearance, the technique that is concealed within the wooden box is extremely sophisticated. We can describe the Stratifier as a multidimensional music instrument, referring to the fact that the performer has continual control over 16 outputs. This enables him to control the sound-generating and sound-transforming software in the computer. Currently the main software used is SuperCollider, however, other programs might be compatible.

upperview with the twelve touch pads

Arie van Schutterhoef playing the Stratifier

The Stratifier can create extremely spectacular sounds, but is equally capable of subtle nuances. This instrument is used in many concerts given by the Schreck Ensemble and Schreck Assembly for instance, in the theatre production 'Nuctemeron', or the improvisation 'Ruba-da-aero'.