A musical study (etude) by Andrew R. Brown and Toby Gifford. Created as a demonstration of the Motivator software, described in our paper in the proceedings of ICMC 2013. The work is constructed from melodic fragments generated by the Motivator with the intent of highlighting ambiguities and alternate rhythmic and harmonic interpretations in the phrases. The large-scale structure and orchestration are done by hand. This is a MIDI rendering and lacks dynamic and durational variation in performance.

Entanglements

A short, live, trance-inspired jam on the OnBoard Quadra DIY groovebox.

Quadra Trance Jam

A live performance with the OnBoard Quadra DIY Groovebox, featuring probabilistic sequence playback.

Quadra Grungy Slow Jam

A live jam on the OnBoard Quadra DIY Groovebox.

Quadra Minimalist Jam

The piece is for Solo performer and 3 computational agents. This version was played by the composer, Andrew R. Brown, at the Australasian Computer Music Conference in Sydney, Australia, November 2015.

Ripples - Synthesizer Arrangement

Generation I is an interactive electronic music performance between a live improviser and ‘Generations’ algorithmic music system developed by the performer. This work continues the artist’s exploration of performing with reflexive music software where the musician’s performance fragments are captured, transformed and re-used as part of a generative musical accompaniment. In particular the Generation system evolves the captured fragments over time. The effect is a layered texture that transforms in subtle mays over time, reminiscent of the works of minimalist compositions from the 20th century.

Generation I

Generation I - Live Audio

In the 1990s Iannis Xenakis developed a new probabilistic audio generation method called Dynamic Stochastic Synthesis that produced quite unconventional sounds. This process reflected his interest in "human intelligibility [of] temporal periodicity and the symmetry of the [waveform] curves" generated by digital devices (Xenakis 1991:289). Two notable works using this technique were composed by Xenakis, Gendy3 and S.709. Inspired by these works and taking advantage of the rapid advances in technology, “A.001” simulates this technique on the low cost Arduino microcontroller running in real time and emulates the four voice architecture of Gendy3 only this time reproduced in quadraphonic sound. Andrew previously engaged with dynamic stochastic synthesis in 2004 coding the first real time, interactive, implementation of the process. The resulting IDSS system was performed and published in computer music conferences in 2005. This implementation on the Arduino is sounds similar, but is technically ‘in the spirit’ of the process rather than a literal reconstruction as was IDSS. It is also testament to the advancement of computing hardware that synthesis processes once requiring expensive and time consuming resources are now achievable on the least expensive of systems.

A.001

An interactive (live algorithm) work, titled A.001.i, was developed for performance at Oscillo Scape 11 during September 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. The instrument included three rotary/push controls that adjusted parameters of the synthesis algorithm in real-time and allowed manual setting of changes during performance. This hardware employed a Teensy LC micro controller for sound, light and interaction. An animated Neopixel light strip reinforced the internal algorithmic changes by changing light state coincident with them.

A.001.i At OS11

Generative Structures is a semi-improvised live coding performance; where computer code is the primary medium of expression but is augmented by live mapping of parameters on a control surface to effect a range of recorded and synthesised sound sources. The title is descriptive of the way coded media structures are written and evolve during the performance in an organic way.  As new structures are developed, older ones are modified. The work is particularly concerned with performative mapping and explores the possibilities of timbal creation and deconstruction through the generation of parameter automation and mapping on the fly. 

Generative Structures

Solo live coding performance in London, January 1020.

Kings Anatomy

Piece for live synthesizer and sequenced backing. Written and recorded in 1997. Get the score at http://explodingart.com

Hologram

A generative music duet. Following principles of sufficient repetition at the intervalic and phrase levels, this work uses a simple but driving isometric rhythm to allow interplay between pitch motifs to feature.

Motif Minimalism 1

This generative work explores the transformation of plucked sound synthesis into more bowed-like sustained articulations. The sounds are randomly pitched and spaced over time. A lush reverb adds depth and space. In theory, this work could evolve forever, but this except provides a good idea of the possible sound world. Coded in Pure Data.

Plucked Garden 1

This performance by Andrew R. Brown and Greg Jenkins from 2005 using my IDSS software. The Interactive Dynamic Stochastic Synthesizer (IDSS) is an instrument that uses stochastic synthesis. It extends the original dynamic stochastic synthesis process devised by Iannis Xenakis and provides an effective interface for interaction.

IDSS 02 Abridged Version

This cheesy synth track is all done (multi-tracked) on the Micro Mono Control (MMC) DIY synth I designed and built with assistance from John Ferguson. The MMC is based on the Arduino Pro Micro and uses the Mozzi audio library.

FinerMMC

Andrew is an active computer musician, computational artist, and a builder of software tools that support creativity. He works as Professor of Digital Arts at Griffith University. His expertise is in technologies that support creativity and learning, computational media, and the philosophy of technology. Research activities focuses on the aesthetics of computational processes and adaptive audio for interaction design.

algomusic

Popular tracks