Composing Music with Computers

This book focuses on the role of the computer as a generative tool for music composition. Miranda introduces a number of computer music composition techniques ranging from probabilities, formal grammars and fractals, to genetic algorithms, cellular automata and neural computation. Anyone wishing to use the computer as a companion to create music will find this book a valuable resource. As a comprehensive guide with full explanations of technical terms, it is suitable for students, professionals and enthusiasts alike. The accompanying CD-ROM contains examples, complementary tutorials and a number of composition systems for PC and Macintosh platforms, from demonstration versions of commercial programs to exciting, fully working packages developed by research centres world-wide, including Nyquist, Bol Processor, Music Sketcher, SSEYO Koan, Open Music and the IBVA brainwaves control system, among others. This book will be interesting to anyone wishing to use the computer as a companion to create music. It is a comprehensive guide, but the technical terms are explained so it is suitable for students, professionals and enthusiasts alike. This book is written by an experienced practising musician, researcher and lecturer. It features practical examples and comprehensive explanations of essential methods and techniques.

ISBN 0240515676   Pages 256 ISBN13 9780240515670 (What's this?)   Volumes 1 Publisher Elsevier Science & Technology   Weight (grammes) 540 Imprint Focal Press   Published in Oxford Format Paperback   Series editor Rumsey, Francis Publication date 27 Apr 2001   Series title Music Technology Non-book description Paperback & CD-ROM   Height (mm) 246 Library of Congress 2001033448   Width (mm) 189 DEWEY 781.34   Spine width (mm) 16 DEWEY edition DC21   Academic level Professional / Scholarly

		Series introduction
		Foreword
		Preface
1		Computer music: facing the facts		1
2		Preparing the ground		21
3		Probabilities, grammars and automata		61
4		Iterative algorithms: chaos and fractals		83
5		Neural computation and music		99
6		Evolutionary music: breaking new ground		119
7		Case studies		158
8		Music composition software on the accompanying CD-ROM		177
		Epilogue		205
App. 1		Excerpt from J. S. Bach's Chorale BWV 668		207
		App. 2: Musical clip		209
		App. 3: Format chart		211
App. 4		A primer in Lisp programming		212
		References		215
		CD-ROM instructions		221
		Index		231

'...anyone interested in using computers to compose music will find herein a useful technique, regardless of his style or method of composition. In the tradition of computer music - experiment: try, listen, and refine.' Daniel V. Oppenheim, October 2000 '...exceptionally well written and, above all, clear. Composers, students or otherwise, will find a valuable resource for ideas, software, algorithms, and their underlying mathematics.' Robert Rowe in Computer Music Journal '...an excellent balance of detail and overview and seems to cover maths in a more interesting way than I have seen before. It provides a couple of good case studies which are reasonably easy to follow and before I knew I was up and running with my own generated tunes.' Reader review from Amazon.com 'I always had problems getting to grips with the math behind computer music. This the first book I found which talks you through comprehensibly. There are loads of diagrams and helpful examples. Hasn't made it to the shelf since I bought it!' Reader review from Amazon.com 'As a DJ I need to know what's coming up before it hits the circuit, so I was well impressed with this book - although I've got a fairly strong programming base, the way Eduardo Reck Miranda introduced and explained the mechanics filled in the gaps without sending me to sleep.' Reader review from Amazon.co.uk

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