Audio & Educational Technology

Much has been done in the field of generative music.  The early work done with Pd in the mid-90’s continues to this day, and is one pillar of the technology systems that support generative music and algorithmic composition.

Although the technology that drives this next example is unclear, one example of a site that demonstrates algorithmic composition is Wolfram Tones, which takes computational algorithms (from Mathematica) and combines them with music theory to produce an interface that lets people “make” music in a variety of styles.  It would appear that Wolfram takes visual patterns as represented by “cellular automation”, flips the pattern on its side and represents the relationship between cells through musical ideas such as pitch.  This is, of course a gross-oversimplification, so please consult Wolfram for the details.

One interesting thing about Wolfram is that users can use the tool to create their own midi–which can either be saved on the site, emailed as a midi file–and even sent directly to your cell phone as ringtone.  How’s that for sharp?

Another interesting feature is that Wolfram builds in compositional controls that include not only pitch-mapping, instrumentation, meter & tempo, but also a “generator” that allows users to change the computational “rules” used to derive music from the pattern seen.

Of course, the next best feature of the software is that it’s free.