Atonal Festival launches free workshops and hearing protection initiative
Taking place across September 12 & 13 at Ohm, Berlin, the concept involves a collaborators including Mor Elian, Alexander Hacke, Loop by Ableton and more
Ahead of the return of its full festival in over four years, Berlin's Atonal Festival has announced a series of free workshops at Ohm, which will be open for those who cannot attend the festival.
The project teams up with Hearing Berlin, Loop Session by Ableton, Orchestral Tools, Sennheiser-Neumann and Your Mom's Agency, with focuses upon composition and hearing health (and protection).
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In the early evening of September 12, there is an offering of an interactive workshop with Alexander Hacke of avant-garde band Einstürzende Neubauten. Presented by Orchestral Tools, attendees are able to bring their laptop and headphones to compose with Hacke, who will discuss inspiration, the power of sound, and combining layers to create new soundscapes.
Meanwhile, Boris Kümmerer, Artist Relation Director of Sennheiser, together with Neumann, is working with producer, DJ and labelowner Mor Elian (pictured). The pair will be on hand to provide feedback on artist's own tracks should musicians want to share their composition in the coined Atonal Track Clinic.
The following day, Loop by Ableton are to present a discussion about hearing health, with Shapednoise - who made his recent album following a period of hearing loss - and Perila, before commencing a guided listening session.
Also on hand will be Hearing Berlin, who, for those that have pre-booked a spot, will be fitting custom-made moulded hearing protection. Prices for fitting (and the earplugs themselves) are either €99 or €129, at a discounted rate.
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"We hope clubs and festivals will adopt this template of streamlined production to make hearing protection affordable to more club goers," explain Atonal.
It is free to attend all workshops and sessions; keep an eye here for when tickets launch.
Niamh Ingram is Mixmag's Weekend Editor, follow her on Twitter
