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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:	* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:	Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:	DYPSS1::SCHAFER

Created:	Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:	Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2852
Total number of notes:	33157

926.0. "Dr. T Algorithmic Composer for Commodore C64" by AQUA::ROST (You used me for an ashtray heart) Tue Sep 01 1987 16:59

    
    I recently heard about a Dr. T program called the "Algorithmic
    Composer" which supposedly is a semi-automatic composition package
    for the C64.
    
    I guess it will generate pseudorandom melodies for you.
    
    Anybody ever used this?  Anybody familiar with how the program works
    (i.e. what is the method by which they generate the melodies)?
                                       
    If this is discussed already in another note, if someone would be
    kind enough to point.

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
926.1	Interesting...	JAWS::COTE	Note stuck? Try Kawai...	`Tue Sep 01 1987 17:15`	6
	There was an article in Electronic Musician recently about this and a couple other S/W packages like it. I'll try to remember (@5:30 A.M.?) to bring it in. Edd
926.2		BARNUM::RHODES		`Wed Sep 02 1987 09:21`	5
	Yes, please post. I'd also like to know whether the Dr. T package is for the C64. Todd.
926.3	Well, if you're running out of ideas...	ECADSR::SHERMAN	but I DID simulate...sort of...	`Wed Sep 02 1987 11:02`	12
	Check out page 50 of the June '87 KEYBOARD. It's an article/soundpage by Jan Hammer using the Algorithmic Composition software on a C64. The results were fed into a PC sequencer and played on a Kawai K3, a Fairlight III, a Memorymoog and probably other stuff. Although interesting listening in a way, it got boring pretty quick. I believe the intent isn't so much to create whole pieces, but rather to help the composer get new ideas. In that respect it's probably pretty good if a composer starts getting burned out and doesn't have any more new ideas. I haven't run into that problem, yet. I usually have plenty of ideas waiting in the background... Steve_anxiously_awaiting_the_Commusic_III_tape
926.4		BARNUM::RHODES		`Wed Sep 02 1987 13:13`	2
	Thanx...
926.5	Da poop....	JAWS::COTE	Note stuck? Try Kawai...	`Thu Sep 03 1987 09:46`	25
	I've got the article here on my desk.... Dr T's A-L-G-O-R-I-T-H-M-I-C Composer does run on the C64 and costs the whopping sum of 99 clams. It is actually a package of three fairly classic examples of algorithmic composition. "Series Generator" allows the user to specify a series of values for pitch, timing, duration, velocity and MIDI channel. You can run multiple series (Assumably 16) serially and sense they can all have a different length, you can obtain a 'phasing' effect between them. "Phrase Generator" allows the user to specify a progression of scales and several compositional parameters. The program then generates a theme. Extropolated from the theme are 'phrases'. This results in several 'phrases being played over the same theme. "Stochastic Algorithm Composer" generates notes for 4 voices using a couple weighted RNG's for pitch and duration. The programs are not interactive. You must re-boot to go to another. Edd
926.6	Do I need it yet?	BARNUM::RHODES		`Thu Sep 03 1987 11:12`	7
	Thanks Edd. I'd have to demo one before determining whether or not it's useful. Sounds like something that would be fun to write, tho... Todd.