Z Creative, 2025

Z Creative is a project where I am exploring the notion of distributed performance. In particular, I want to look at using the Zig programming language to build a system for musical performance that allows for controllers to be connected via a network.

Currently, my current plan is for there to be a centrialized server that can stream audio, over a websocket, where the audio is generated at and on the server, while control is distributed, i.e. parameters can be performed from anywhere on the network. Only control messages are sent from a user/performer to the server, while the server can send both control and audio in real time. It is possible for a user/performer to send audio data, but not real time---what this means, I am not currently 100% sure.

This is a system of constraints, in paritcular I'd like to explore latency as a key creative driver. However, the notion of remoteness or 'anywhere but here' is also a creative tool that is intended to be be lent into. What does it mean to be 'anywhere but here', in the context of a shared musical performance?

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