Our staff
Dr Alexandros Kontogeorgakopoulos
PhD
e: akontogeorgakopoulos@cardiffmet.ac.uk
t: 02920 201193
Specialist Subject Areas
Sound and music computing, computer music, music informatics.
Qualifications
Ph.D. in Art Sciences and Technologies
Master in Art Sciences and Technologies
Master in Electronic Automation
Conservatory Degree in Classical Guitar
Conservatory Degree in Music Theory
Bachelors Degree in Physics
Biography
Alexandros Kontogeorgakopoulos is a computer music researcher, a lecturer and musician. He has studied physics, signal processing, classical music and computer music in Greece and in France. His research and musical interests are situated at the intersection of art, science and technology. He has published several articles in international conferences and participated in many workshops related to music interaction, musical composition and music performance (classical guitar). He has participated in several music ensembles and composed acoustic and electronic music. Since 2009 he has been appointed as a lecturer at Cardiff School of Art and Design (UWIC).
Current research
Alexandros’ current musical research activity concerns a collaborative project with the Architect Olivia Kotsifa from CSAD and the HO5 snowpark and snowboarding event design company in France, related to the design of a mixed media interactive performance, which integrates space design, sound, music, visuals and snowboarding. Computer motion tracking techniques, interactive composition practices, a variety of spatial and body sensors and sonic transformations of precomposed material are explored for the realization of the sonic and the musical part of the piece and the music interaction design.
Another research interest is related to mechanical sound design and composition by physical thinking using digital and electromechanical means. A in progress collaboration with the lecturer Jon Pigott from the Cardiff School of Art and Design has already produced interesting results for dissemination.
Finally, another research topic, which he has started exploring during his PhD research, concerns the analysis of the concepts and techniques of digital audio effects and musical sound transformations, and their transposition in the framework of physical modelling and digital simulation. It takes advantage of physical modelling to achieve musical sound transformations and attempts to bridge this approach with the usual signal processing paradigms in order to design physically performed audio effects [Haptic Digital Audio Effects]. The concept of instrumental interaction (live interaction involving instrumental gesture) apart from sound transformation is applied also to sound synthesis algorithms. The goal is to approach music performance using live electronics from an alternative, more instrumental based point of view comparing to the already well-established procedures. Two relevant articles for publication to peer reviewed journals are envisaged to be written before the end of the year. External research collaborators related to this project are affiliated to the University of Athens, to the Technical University of Berlin, to the Grenoble Technical Institute and to the LABRI research unit in Bordeaux.
Future research on this topic will involve physical and haptic interface evaluations and designs that interact with the proposed algorithms; tests involving live performers-musicians; further exploration of the proposed approach and design new musical signal processing algorithms for live electronic music, and composition of live electronic music pieces.
Alexandros is also participating in other research projects from the CSAD such as the “Multicoloured Magic” with Wendy Keay-Bright where he will develop musical applications and a multidisciplinary project with Ingrid Murphy which uses scanning and haptic technologies to explore the potential of form becoming sound and sound creating form.
Principal Publications and/or Exhibitions
Alexandros Kontogeorgakopoulos, Giorgios Kouroupetroglou, 2011, “Simple Cases of Low Cost Force-Feedback Haptic Interaction with Haptic Digital Audio Effects”, 9th International Gesture Workshop, Athens, Greece
J. Pigott, A. Kontogeorgakopoulos, “Physical Thinking: Two Approaches to Mechanical Sound Design”, in the Proceedings of International Computer Music Conference ICMC2011, England
Olivia Kotsifa, Alexandros Kontogeorgakopoulos, 2011, “Interactive Music and Architectural design for a Snowpark Event”, 2nd Annual International Conference on Visual and Performing Arts, Athens, Greece
Alexandros Kontogeorgakopoulos, Claude Cadoz, 2008, “Designing and Synthesizing Delay-Based Digital Audio Effects Using the CORDIS-ANIMA Physical Modeling Formalism”, in the Proceedings of Sound and Music Computing Conference SMC08, Germany
Alexandros Kontogeorgakopoulos, Claude Cadoz, 2007, “Filtering Within the Framework of the Mass-Interaction Physical Modelling and of Haptic Gestural Interaction”, in the Proceedings of Digital Audio Effects DAFX07, France
Alexandros Kontogeorgakopoulos, Claude Cadoz, 2007, “Physical Modelling as a Proposed Framework for the Conception, the Design and the Implementation of Sound Transformations”, in the Proceedings of International Computer Music Conference ICMC2007, Denmark
Awards
Enterprise Projects and/or Industrial links
Link with H05 snowpark and snowboarding events design organization (Reverse Strategic Insight Program)
Link with ACROE computer arts association (Strategic Insight Program)
Modules Taught
MPT 106 Composition Toolkit
MPT 108 Sonic Design
MPT 213 Production Project
MPT 215 Production Techniques
MPT 211 Computer Music
ESD 327 Advanced Audio Production Techniques
ESD 301 Individual Project