Eric Lyon – Composer

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I am a research composer focused on articulated noise, computer chamber music, and spatial orchestration. My book Designing Audio Objects is published by A-R Editions, explicating the process of designing audio externals for Max and Pd. In 2023, my book Automated Sound Design was published by A-R Editions. In 2016-17, I was guest editor for a Computer Music Journal issue on computer music for high-density loudspeaker arrays.

I have worked in Asia, the United Kingdom, and the US, where I am currently employed by Virginia Tech. More specifically, I am a professor of practice at the School of Performing Arts, and a faculty fellow at ICAT. In 2018 I was on leave as a Guggenheim Fellow in Music Composition, researching immersive computer music with live performers. In 2016, I architected the international spatial music festival Cube Fest. In 2025, I co-designed the industry-facing Spatial Audio Tidepool, and recently presented a keynote at ICAD 2024. I am co-author of FFTease for Max and Pd (now available through the Max package manager), and the author of LyonPotpourri, also for Max and Pd. As a composer of instrumental music, I am constantly working with wonderful musical performers, most recently with a new composition for the Medusa Sax Quartet.