Is multi-speaker presentation an essential element in composition?
In my work multi-speaker presentation is more a “preferred” element than an essential one. I simply can’t count on having access to multiple channels, so many pieces are plain stereo. 2. Are there circumstances in which you prefer stereo or multi-channel mediums? The choice of stereo vs. multi-channel can be a practical one, dependent on the circumstances in which a piece will be distributed and presented, or an aesthetic one, dependent on the sonic nature of the piece and the interrelationship of its parts. I can’t think of any piece where I’ve “preferred” that it be played in simple stereo, but in many cases that’s the only playback option. It’s also “safer” in many cases to limit the playback options so you have some assurance that the piece will always sound the same. 3. What factors are important with regards to speaker placement and configurations? On the presentation end of the process, the architecture of the venue and the size and disposition of the audience are both critical.
