Alex Chechile is a sound artist, composer and electronic artist whose work develops in parallel with research in neuroscience, psychoacoustics and the biomechanics of hearing. With a particular interest in the relationship between sound and the body, his immersive compositions, installations and performances aim to bring transparency to otherwise invisible processes in biological and technological systems. Questions that arise in his artistic work lead to formalized studies, and the results cyclically inform his sonic practice.
Chechile is a leading researcher on the psychoacoustic study and creative application of difference tones, which are sounds that are generated in the inner ear and are perceived as localized within the head. His work exhibits how difference tones expand layers of sonic material to include sounds outside the acoustic space, as well as how they create an additional nested layer of spatial depth between loudspeakers and ears.
Moving beyond the established two-tone difference tone paradigm, Chechile’s behavioral research shows up to seven additional types of difference tones are reliably perceived from multi-tone acoustic stimuli. In his series of pieces On the Sensations of Tone (2010— ), Chechile explores the physicality of sound and spatial depth using difference tones, and his Ear Tone Toolbox is the first widely available collection of software and modular instruments for evoking the phenomenon.
As a performer, Chechile was a founding member of Pauline Oliveros’ band Tintinnabulate, collaborated with Mercury Rev, and performed a solo opening act for Primus. His projects have been supported by the Mellon Foundation, the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), Harvestworks, Issue Project Room, the Experimental Television Center, the Deep Listening Institute and the American Embassy, among others. His work has been presented worldwide at festivals and venues including the IRCAM, MoMA, ICMC, Electronic Music Midwest, EMPAC, the New York Electronic Arts Festival and Cité Internationale des Arts.
Chechile is currently a research fellow at the Studio for Research in Sound and Technology (SRST), where he also teaches. Prior to RISD, Chechile worked with the Stanford Graduate School of Education and K-12 schools worldwide on a postdoc on remote and accessible creative practices during the pandemic. This work was recognized by Stanford for supporting justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. He holds a PhD from Stanford University’s Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA), an MFA in Electronic Art from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a BA in Music from Tufts University.
Courses
Fall 2023 Courses
DM 3104-02 / SOUND 3104-02 - SONIC PRACTICES
LevelGraduate
UnitDigital + Media
Subject Digital + Media
Sound
Period Fall 2023
Credits 3
FormatStudio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
DM 3104-02 / SOUND 3104-02
SONIC PRACTICES
LevelGraduate
UnitDigital + Media
Subject Digital + Media
Sound
PeriodFall 2023
Credits3
FormatStudio
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2023-09-06 to 2023-12-13
Times: W | 11:20 AM - 4:20 PMInstructor(s): Alex ChechileLocation(s): 15 West, Roger Mandle Building, Room M11Enrolled / Capacity: 10Status: Closed
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Sonic Practices is a graduate-level research group focused on acoustic, electronic, and/or computer-based means of sound production and reception. Participants explore audio culture and technology while developing experimental approaches to composition, performance, recording, and/or listening. Areas of investigation include, but are not limited to: audio programming languages, embedded/mobile computing for sound and music, spatial audio, sound synthesis, audio electronics, sonification and auditory display, electroacoustic music composition and improvisation, field recording and soundscape studies, sound installation and performance, and sonic interaction design. Each semester, course content changes in response to a new unifying theme upon which students base individual and team-based research projects. Meetings consist of discussions, workshops, critiques, and collaborations that support students' individual inquiries, the exchange of ideas, and the exploration of research methodologies.
Estimated Cost of Materials: $100.00 - $200.00
Offered as SOUND-3104 and DM-3104.
Please contact the instructor for permission to register; registration is not available in Workday. Preference is given to Senior or Graduate Students.
Elective
DM 3104-02 / SOUND 3104-02 - SONIC PRACTICES
LevelGraduate
UnitDigital + Media
Subject Digital + Media
Sound
Period Fall 2023
Credits 3
FormatStudio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
DM 3104-02 / SOUND 3104-02
SONIC PRACTICES
LevelGraduate
UnitDigital + Media
Subject Digital + Media
Sound
PeriodFall 2023
Credits3
FormatStudio
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2023-09-06 to 2023-12-13
Times: W | 11:20 AM - 4:20 PMInstructor(s): Alex ChechileLocation(s): 15 West, Roger Mandle Building, Room M11Enrolled / Capacity: 10Status: Closed
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Sonic Practices is a graduate-level research group focused on acoustic, electronic, and/or computer-based means of sound production and reception. Participants explore audio culture and technology while developing experimental approaches to composition, performance, recording, and/or listening. Areas of investigation include, but are not limited to: audio programming languages, embedded/mobile computing for sound and music, spatial audio, sound synthesis, audio electronics, sonification and auditory display, electroacoustic music composition and improvisation, field recording and soundscape studies, sound installation and performance, and sonic interaction design. Each semester, course content changes in response to a new unifying theme upon which students base individual and team-based research projects. Meetings consist of discussions, workshops, critiques, and collaborations that support students' individual inquiries, the exchange of ideas, and the exploration of research methodologies.
Estimated Cost of Materials: $100.00 - $200.00
Offered as SOUND-3104 and DM-3104.
Please contact the instructor for permission to register; registration is not available in Workday. Preference is given to Senior or Graduate Students.
UnitDigital + Media; Experimental and Foundation Studies
Subject Sound
Period Spring 2024
Credits 3
FormatStudio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
SOUND 2043-01
SOUND SYNTHESIS: ANALOG/DIGITAL HYBRIDS
LevelUndergraduate
UnitDigital + Media; Experimental and Foundation Studies
Subject Sound
PeriodSpring 2024
Credits3
FormatStudio
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2024-02-15 to 2024-05-24
Instructor(s): Alex ChechileEnrolled / Capacity: 12Status: Open
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Throughout the past century, electronically generated sound has challenged the aesthetic and conceptual boundaries of art and music. In this intensive studio course, students will focus on the creation of experimental sound works utilizing hybrid analog / digital systems. We will investigate synthesis techniques using the SuperCollider programming language / environment in conjunction with the Serge modular synthesizer. Students will leverage the strengths of these tools towards uniquely personal production platforms that are more than the sum of their parts, and utilize them in the creation of fixed media, generative compositions, and improvised performances. The course will include discussion of historical works / texts, hands-on demonstrations, in-class projects, and critical engagement with new works by class members, culminating in a final project that incorporates knowledge gained throughout the semester. Students will need a laptop computer running a recent OS: Mac or Windows. Previous programming experience is recommended, but not required.
