My guest today is renowned musician, composer, and inventor of the groundbreaking Mutantrumpet Ben Neill. Ben’s Mutantrumpet is a hybrid electro-acoustic instrument that combines 3 trumpets and a trombone into one. It then incorporates interactive computer technologies that produces a sound that blurs the lines between acoustic and electronic music. 

Ben became interested in electronic music when he was the Music Curator of the N.Y.C. performance space The Kitchen from 1992 to 1999, and since that time he’s been incorporating electronic influences into his work. This includes thirteen albums, as well as exhibitions in museums and galleries in New York City and London. 

Ben began his teaching career in 2007 as a professor of music technology at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and was a Professor of Music Industry and Production at Ramapo College until 2024.

His new book is called Diffusing Music, and explores how technology is enabling new levels of creativity, and transforming how we share and experience sound.

During the interview we talked about why the Mutantrumpet was developed, using an AR headset during performances, the future of music collaboration, how music reflects society, and much more.

I spoke with Ben from his studio outside of New York City.

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

All about the Mutantrumpet (02:07)

Incorporating AR into performances 08:49)

Embracing electronic music (11:05)

Using proprietary plugins (23:50)

One last question (37:47)

Additional Resources:

Learn more about Ben Neill’s work: https://www.benneill.com/

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