RME Fireface UCX in use for art exhibition ‘Lucida’, an interactive film and installation created by artist Suki Chan
Originally from Hong Kong, Suki Chan is an artist whose work primarily focuses on the relationship between the physical and the psychological. Now based in London, she has long been fascinated by how we interpret our surroundings, exploring the nature of how the mind makes sense of the sensory information we receive during every waking moment. Embracing a variety of mediums, Suki Chan creates pieces that incorporate elements of both sound and imagery, and her work can be found in private and public galleries around the world.
Her most recent work is the interactive film titled Lucida, which examines the interraction between the eye and the brain. Using multiple screens and a 5.1 surround sound system, Lucida looks at how humans process visual information, and the effect this has on our perspective of the world we inhabit. Historical medical illustrations and close-up shots of the eye are combined with various spaces viewed through a camera obscura, with the visuals accompanied by a soundtrack that includes interviews with various scientists and psychologists. The piece also includes an interactive element, inviting visitors to use eye-tracking technology to reveal their own rapid eye movements.
5.1 Surround Sound with the RME Fireface UCX
To handle the multiple channels of audio needed to create Lucida, Suki Chan’s composer and sound designer Dominik Scherrer chose the RME Fireface UCX, which is renowned for its extensive routing capabilities, transparent sound and rock-solid reliability.
With 36 channels and the ability to run sample rates up to 192kHz/24Bit, plus equal performance on Mac, Windows and Linux, the UCX is a professional and versatile interface that’s perfect for use on a wide variety of audio projects. RME’s included TotalMix FX software also provides unlimited routing options for creating submixes – ideal on a project like Lucida, which uses a 5.1 surround setup to create an immersive experience for visitors to the show. Dominik Scherrer was kind enough to explain his choice when specifying the Fireface UCX for use on Lucida.
“I am a long time RME user and specified the UCX as the audio interface for the Lucida installation. Besides audio quality, reliability was a top priority, as the installation needs to run continuously for weeks or months without fault.
“Besides audio quality, reliability was a top priority, as the installation
needs to run continuously for weeks or months without fault.”
Lucida has a 5.1 soundtrack and is mixed to theatrical standard on my ATC surround system. On location in the galleries, RME’s TotalMix then enables us to control and balance surround output. Thanks to its filters, the UCX also handles bass management for the JBL installation speakers. At the same time the TotalMix EQ is used to tailor the sound to the acoustics from venue to venue, without having to change the audio files, and without using a mixer, equaliser or crossovers.”
RME devices are known to be some of the most reliable interfaces on the market, designed to withstand daily usage from the most demanding of recording and playback installations. We previously spoke to audio engineer Marco Perry, who chose the RME M-32 DA converter for Icelandic musician Björk’s exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York last year. For Björk’s project, the RME M-32 DA was running for 12 hours a day, 7 days a week for 3 months straight!
Our thanks to Dominik Scherrer, Suki Chan and Carla Von Der Becke.
Lucida is now showing at the Tintype Gallery in London, from Wednesdays to Saturdays (12 – 6pm) until 22nd October 2016.
You can find out more at www.lucidafilm.com.