Dr. Lynn Vartan’s session at PASIC 2024 focuses on integrating electronics into percussion performances. She shares her extensive experience traveling internationally with her electronic setup, emphasizing the importance of a reliable rig to avoid technical glitches. The session is divided into two parts: “The Rig,” where she details her equipment and setup, and “The Music,” where she performs excerpts and discusses the software used. Vartan aims to empower performers to confidently use live electronics, sharing insights and tips to enhance their performances. She also highlights her collaborative work and the positive energy she brings to her music 

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It is such an honor to share this session for PASIC 2024! Most people know me as a keyboard artist, and in the past several years I have been championing pieces that use all kinds of electronics, working with composers on new pieces that try to bring fun, groove, and positive vibes to the percussion keyboard repertoire. My session developed because I have been traveling with electronics for years, and every time I perform, people come up to me after the concert asking about “my rig.” I love sharing my setup with people and all the tips and tricks I have learned that make traveling with electronics easy everywhere and anywhere!

I have been fortunate to be invited internationally to perform and teach in Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Mexico, Columbia, England, Romania, Estonia, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, and Denmark among others, and I am currently a U.S. Fulbright Specialist. In all of my travels I have used my rig and had great success seamlessly integrating electronics into the program without any of the typical electronics glitches you tend to witness or hear about. 

In building this rig I consulted with some great audio engineers and producers, and I came up with something totally solid that works all around the world! A few of the things I learned were surprising and really have made a difference. For example, the power of the DI box in stabilizing everything is key, and not only helps with the actual electronics but also in communicating with venue staff; they feel so comfortable when you come with this ready and just need two inputs from your DI box to their P.A. Also, the impact of size and weight of things when traveling — including why a hard road case is not the best way to go for an individual artist! 

My session will be split into two parts: “The Rig” and the “The Music.”In the first section, “The Rig,” I will show the carry-on suitcase that everything fits into, and the basic flow of elements from computer to audio interface (and respective headphones and mics) to DI box to venue. Next, I will show the exact connections for each part of the flow. I will share my exact brands and makes of the equipment I use so that anyone can build their own version! Lastly, I will cover other things in the rig that are essential, including cable types, power managing (national and international), and my super small magic mic stands!

In the second part, “The Music,” I will perform excerpts from pieces and show the exact settings and software I use to perform them, including photos of the software screens and settings. The technological components for the pieces range from using a basic no-click backing track in Reaper, using digital delay processing for the marimba, using the Supercollider program for timed audio clips, and using Ableton for click and live looping with a BopPad. 

Finally, I will premiere a new piece for marimba and electronics written for me by Ivan Trevino. Ivan and I share ideas of positivity, energy, and community in our world view, and these kinds of vibes inspired our collaboration!

In this session I hope to provide a full overview of my workflow when performing with live electronics, empowering you to do so fluidly and easily using many kinds of software and hardware. Even if you are just getting started with electronics, you can build this setup and make it work! Such performances are inevitably unique, so this session will be both wide-reaching for all to get a glimpse, while simultaneously specific for you to jump right in with the exact specifications you need for your performances. I hope it will benefit confident, experienced performers with new tips and tricks that I have found, as well as those who have felt timid using live electronics in the past but want to try. You can do it, and I am excited to share with you how!