The R&D Group in Music Technology operates at the intersection of artistic research and development work, academic research, and technology development. The group investigates and explores the artistic potential of new and existing music technology instruments, forms of interaction and collaboration within cross-genre musical expressions, and sound art.

The group works interdisciplinary and cross-artistically with fields such as acoustics, data and information technology – including machine learning and artificial intelligence – network technology, architecture, performing arts, dance, music therapy, and materials technology. Additionally, the group emphasizes critical reflection on artistic and technological practices, often seeking to examine these practices in light of current societal and individual issues. The group also actively works to secure external funding for projects and activities, as well as to establish and maintain national and international networks and collaborative projects.

The group has access to several sound studios, specialized rooms for 3D sound (Dolby Atmos 9.1.4, 16.1, and 22.2), a music and movement lab with optical and IMU-based motion capture (MuMo), an electronics lab, infrastructure designed for music interaction and production over networks, a PC with a GPU tailored for training machine learning models, and various other specialized equipment.

Projects, Networks, and Centers We Are Involved In:

• MishMash senter for KI og kreativitet
• Rhythm and Intentionality in Computer Assisted Music making
• Shores
• Fragile Environments
• MotionComposer

Current and Completed PhD Projects

The group has supervised Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD-level projects, both artistic and academic in nature. The following PhD projects have been completed in connection with the group in recent years:

• Hilmar Thordarson - ConDiS – Conducting Digital System Extended role of the conductor in mixed music performance
• Mathieu Lacroix - Deus Ex Machina: Synchronization Strategies in Mixed Music
• Gyrid Kaldestad – Det som er mellom
• Ola Nordal - "Between Poetry and Catastrophe" A Study on the Electroacoustic Music of Arne Nordheim 
• Stian Westerhus - The Shape of Concerts to Come
• Jordan Sand - Polyphonic Processes for Bass and Voice

Activities:

• Academic Forum: Seminars where the R&D group meets twice each semester for professional presentations from one or more members. These seminars are also open to interested individuals from other academic environments.
• Open Guest Lectures: Once or twice a year, open guest lectures are organized, where academics and/or artists present their work to students and group members.
• Conferences: The R&D group has organized several conferences with a high international profile, such as DAFx (2015), WebAudio (2019), and ICLI (2020).
• Workshops
• Concerts
• Exhibitions
• Publications
• Music Releases