Village Savant // your guide to a creative existence

04/14/2004 Entry: "Laptop Battle"

SF Laptop Battle SUNDAY, April 18th

The laptop battle is a competive event for laptop musicians to match their skills against one another. Battles are chosen randomly and conducted in 3 minute rounds. A panel of judges decides which contestant advances to the next round, single elimination style. It's a fusion of sound design, composition and stage performance and a chance for laptop musicians to prove their skills in battle and develop techniques and strategies.

See details for Rules and Entry info.

Laptop Battle Rules

1. No external controllers. Input devices such as keyboards and fader/knob boxes are not allowed for two reasons. a. they take up too much space in the setup b. no controllers levels the playing field by only allowing one laptop.

External soundcards are often necessary for contestants to perform, and are allowed.

2. Battles are chosen randomly.

3. Battles are 3 minutes long. Contestants can choose whether they want a 30 second warning issued by the MC. At 3 minutes the MC will fade out the mix from the contestant.

4. Judges (5) decide the outcome of battles in a single elimination style.

5. Contestants must be at the location of the battle half an hour before the battle.
a. minimum amount of set-up time.
b. alternates will be onsite to take the place

How to Enter
Send us an email at sanfrancisco@laptopbattle.org and tell us a little about yourself. 16 contestants will be selected plus a few alternates. There are prizes for contestants including software from Native Instruments and Ableton as well as cash prizes.

Presented by laptopbattle.org and unknown8bit.org.