THRiPPS – Techno Hardware-centric, Real-time, Improvisation, Performance and Production Solution
– “As the winning applicant, Pierre was selected for his research proposal titled THRiPPS which seeks to explore the true creative and technical benefits and challenges of using hardware synthesizers in the production of techno music; as well as the distinct intersection of music production and performance.” – Richie Hawtin
– THRiPPS: Techno Hardware-centric, Real-time, Improvisation, Performance and Production Solution – Learn more
THRiPPS – Press Release
Introducing THRiPPS
In a world dominated by visual stimuli, political discourse and image-centric narratives, there’s a pressing need to recalibrate our focus toward the essence of the sonic experience.
Techno, a genre that has inspired and moved us for decades, has undergone a remarkable evolution while paradoxically remaining rooted in its origins. Surprisingly, many are unaware that Kraftwerk’s pioneering music is now half a century old!
Historically, Electronic Music Production and Electronic Music Performances have been distinct realms. Music was typically produced in studios or home setups and then presented to audiences by DJs in clubs and at festivals. Live performances were a rarity, reserved for avant-garde risk-takers, artists who dared to be unique and experimental.
While many perceive electronic music primarily as an art form, entertainment or spiritual medium that connects body and soul, inspires artists and offers an outlet from life’s stresses, there’s a growing need to explore its academic dimensions. We must study, support and theorise its impact on our contemporary world while pondering the future of electronic music.
This PhD research titled THRiPPS – Techno Hardware-centric, Real-time, Improvisation, Performance, and Production Solution – seeks to bridge the gap between performance and production, with a particular focus on the dynamic world of Techno.
Motives behind THRiPPS
Conducted by Pierre Griscelli – PhD researcher – at the University of Huddersfield under the supervision of Professor Rupert Till – Head of Department of Music and Design Arts – alongside Nicolas Bougaïeff – Senior Research Fellow –, THRiPPS is a call to inspire and empower music creation, fostering mastery of the craft and techniques. It champions originality and encourages artists to explore instrument craftsmanship and customization. This journey pushes creative boundaries, transcending convention in the quest for unique sonic expressions.
The goal is to nurture a community of artists proficient in their craft, daringly imaginative, and shaping a future where electronic music thrives on boundless possibilities.
Endorsed by Richie Hawtin
Who better than Richie Hawtin to spearhead this project? Richie is renowned for his avant-garde performances, entrepreneurial spirit and unrelenting pursuit of risk-taking in music. He serves as a mentor to many, defining careers through his bold approach to electronic music.
In 2015, Hawtin was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Huddersfield in recognition of the producer’s outstanding contribution to the world of music technology. In the years since, Hawtin has returned to the Uni to give masterclasses and one-to-one sessions with students.
Pierre's Biography
Pierre “Petru” Griscelli (born June 26, 1986), an accomplished Corsican artist with a diverse musical journey spanning two decades, embraces a rich heritage of music.
From a foundation rooted in rock classics and influenced by electronic pioneers like Daft Punk, Pierre’s musical journey, complemented by exposure to Jazz, Metal and Corsican polyphonic choirs, has led him to expertise in techno, minimal and progressive house.
Karenn, Luke Slater, Oscar Mulero, DVS1 and Ben Klock rapidly became his key inspirations, alongside artists like Stephan Bodzin, Plastikman and Dubfire, who have played a significant role in shaping his live electronic music journey.
Since 2003, Pierre has excelled as a DJ and electronic music producer, mastering both analog and digital technologies. His transition to hardware-based production in 2017, alongside an ADHD diagnosis, marked a transformative chapter in his career. Today, he primarily delivers driving live techno performances under the name PETRU, as showcased in the documentary “This is Live Techno” produced by Magnitude Films. Additionally, he releases cutting-edge music under his label, Kolibri Space Shuttle, where he continues to push the boundaries of electronic music.
With a solid academic foundation encompassing degrees in Multimedia, Video Game Development, and Sound Design, Pierre’s decade-long career in the video games industry includes contributions to BAFTA-winning titles, such as Returnal (Sony), Batman Arkham Knight (Warner), Rainbow Six: Siege and the Assassin’s Creed franchise (Ubisoft).
His passion, expertise and extensive network, coupled with his current role at Krotos Audio where he contributes to the development of cutting-edge audio technology, position him as a valuable asset to academia. Here, he aspires to inspire the next generation of audio professionals and music artists.
A few words
“As the winning applicant, Pierre was selected for his research proposal titled: “Techno Hardware-centric, Real-time, Improvisation, Performance and Production Solution” which seeks to explore the true creative and technical benefits and challenges of using hardware synthesizers in the production of techno music; as well as the distinct intersection of music production and performance. Congrats to Pierre! To mark this moment, I will host a free talk with him at the University of Huddersfield moderated by Rupert Till, University’s Professor of Music and Head of Department.” – Richie Hawtin
“It is an honor to have been entrusted with this research in electronic music. Beyond the gratifying acknowledgment of being selected, I recognize the substantial responsibility that comes with it. It involves striking a harmonious balance between art, technology, social dynamics and academia, guided by the mentorship of Richie Hawtin. These facets are interconnected and require careful navigation that I am proud to explore in my research titled THRiPPS: Techno Hardware-centric, Real-time, Improvisation, Performance, and Production Solution.” – Pierre Griscelli
Useful Links
[DE] Faze Mag – https://www.fazemag.de/petru-der-meister-der-live-techno (…)
[FR] Tsugi – https://www.tsugi.fr/ce-mini-documentaire-fascinant (…)
IG – https://www.instagram.com/petru.live/
Web – https://petru.live/
Web – https://www.kolibrispaceshuttle.com/kss-ep/
They talk about THRiPPS
– “At the start of the year the DJ and producer – also known as Plastikman – launched a brand new scholarship programme at the university. The scholarship titled The Richie Hawtin PhD Scholarship in Electronic Music, Cultures and Production, includes personal tutoring from Hawtin himself. […]. Since receiving his honorary doctorate at the university, Richie has also visited to give masterclasses and one-to-one sessions on electronic music with students. After looking through applications, the scholarship has been granted to 37-year-old French native Pierre Griscelli.“
– “DJ, techno pioneer and electronic musician Richie Hawtin will visit the University of Huddersfield for an onstage discussion with music and music technology researchers and students on 17 October. The British-Canadian artist, who received an honorary doctorate from the University in 2015, will be in conversation with Pierre Griscelli, the winner of the Richie Hawtin PhD Scholarship in Electronic Music, Cultures and Production that was launched earlier this year and take questions from those in attendance.“
– “Renowned electronic music visionary and techno pioneer, Richie Hawtin, known in the music world as Plastikman, has unveiled an exciting development at the University of Huddersfield: the Richie Hawtin PhD Scholarship in Electronic Music, Cultures, and Production. […]. Titled “The Richie Hawtin PhD Scholarship in Electronic Music, Cultures, and Production,” this program will provide Griscelli with guidance and support from the internationally renowned faculty at the University of Huddersfield, including valuable tutorials led by Richie Hawtin himself. […]. Pierre Griscelli secured the scholarship with his research proposal titled “Techno Hardware-centric, Real-time, Improvisation, Performance, and Production Solution.” His research aims to explore the creative and technical advantages and challenges of employing hardware synthesizers in techno music production, as well as the unique intersection of music production and performance.“
– “Como candidato vencedor, o performer eletrônico, designer de som e produtor Pierre Griscelli foi selecionado por sua proposta de pesquisa intitulada: « Techno Hardware-centric, Real-time, Improvisation, Performance and Production Solution », que busca explorar os verdadeiros benefícios e desafios criativos e técnicos do uso de sintetizadores de hardware na produção de música techno, bem como a interseção distinta de produção musical e performance.“
– “Expressing his honour to have been entrusted with the scholarship, Pierre also mentions how he acknowledges the substantial responsibility that comes with it. « It involves striking a harmonious balance between art, technology, social dynamics and academia, guided by the mentorship of Richie Hawtin. These facets are interconnected and require careful navigation that I am proud to explore in my research titled THRiPPS: Techno Hardware-centric, Real-time, Improvisation, Performance, and Production Solution », Pierre explains.”
– “The scholarship, entitled The Richie Hawtin PhD Scholarship in Electronic Music, Cultures, and Production, includes tuition for the full, three-year program, as well as personal tutoring from Hawtin himself. Hawtin received an honorary doctorate from the University, and has since visited to give masterclasses as well as one-to-one sessions with students. Regarding the scholarship, Griscelli expressed: « It is an honour to have been entrusted with this research in electronic music“. He further added, « Beyond the gratifying acknowledgement of being selected, I recognise the substantial responsibility that comes with it ».”
– “Today’s announcement not only signals the next phase in Richie Hawtin’s dedication to music education and lifelong commitment to support the development of the electronic music scene but gives detail of his participation in a live onstage discussion alongside the winning holder of the scholarship Pierre Griscelli. […] Applications opened at the start of 2023 […] required a proposal outlining the project, samples of written work, examples of creative production work or other products relevant to the scope of the scholarship.”
– “Pierre Griscelli, un Français de 37 ans, s’est vu accorder une exonération totale des frais de scolarité pendant trois ans pour un doctorat à temps plein intitulé « bourse de doctorat Richie Hawtin en musique, culture et production électroniques ». […] L’artiste électronique, concepteur sonore et producteur, a été sélectionné pour sa proposition de recherche intitulée « Techno Hardware-centric, Real-time, Improvisation, Performance and Production Solution », qui vise à explorer les avantages et les défis créatifs et techniques de l’utilisation de synthétiseurs hardware dans la production de musique techno, ainsi que l’intersection distincte entre la production et la performance musicale.”
– “The scholarship had a notable reception when applications were opened in early 2023. A remarkable array of applicants emerged, each showcasing their unique visions for electronic music culture and production. It’s worth noting that Griscelli isn’t a newcomer to the world of sound. He boasts a commendable 10-year journey in video game sound design, with contributions to renowned titles like Rainbow Six: Siege and Batman Arkham Knight. He’s now set to be a part of the Popular Music Studies Research Group at the Centre for Research in Music and its Technologies at the university.”
– “Today’s announcement not only signals the next phase in Richie Hawtin’s dedication to music education and lifelong commitment to support the development of the electronic music scene but gives detail of his participation in a live onstage discussion alongside the winning holder of the scholarship Pierre Griscelli. moderated by the university’s Professor of Music and Head of Department of Music and Design Arts Prof. Rupert Till BA(Hons) MA PhD FHEA CMgr FCMI. Richie Hawtin, In Conversation `at the University of Huddersfield takes place Tuesday 17th October within the Oastler Building at the University of Huddersfield.”
– “Richie Hawtin; the electronic music visionary and techno pioneer unveils winning PhD Scholarship at the University of Huddersfield. […]. A field deeply embraced throughout the celebrated career of electronic music pioneer Richie Hawtin, Pierre Griscelli’s winning research aim is to provide insights and recommendations that can advance knowledge in the field of music production, notably around real-time composition, improvisation and creativity.”
– “Today’s announcement not only signals the next phase in Richie Hawtin’s dedication to music education and lifelong commitment to support the development of the electronic music scene but gives detail of his participation in a live onstage discussion alongside the winning holder of the scholarship Pierre Griscelli. […]. Richie Hawtin, In Conversation takes place Tuesday 17th October within the Oastler Building at the University of Huddersfield.”