Composing Music with Computers (Music Technology Series)

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.

Eduardo Reck Miranda is a researcher at Sony Computer Science Laboratory, and a renowned composer in his own right. He is one of the creators of the Computer Music Group (NUCOM) of the Brazilian Computer Science Society (SBC); he is also a member of the International Computer Music Association (ICMA), the Brazilian Electroacoustic Music Association (SBME) and the Audio Engineering Society (AES). He is on the editorial boards of Leonardo Music Journal, Organised Sound, and Contemporary Music Review.