1. Procedural Sound
An Overview
Stephen Hara
Stephen Smith
Doug Pittenger

2. Outline Procedural Audio Computer-Generated Music Creation Programs
WolframTones
Noatikl
Examples in Action

3. Procedural Audio Non-Linear Often Synthetic Created in real time
set of programmatic rules
live input

4. Computer-Generated Music
Music composed by, or strongly in part by, a computer
Always includes computer composition, sometimes also computer performance
Due to the limited successes in the field, the number of approaches to algorithmic composition are huge
Mathematical models, knowledge-based systems, grammars, genre learning, hybrid systems, evolutionary methods

5. Computer-Generated Music
Performing computers proves to be difficult if also generating the sounds to be used
The most successful algorithms require user interaction, be it as a critic or initializer
Since there is no good algorithm for human creativity (yet), almost every method relies on a significant amount of random number generation

6. Generative Sound
Refers to the generation of sound effects rather than score composition
Also very difficult to do completely computationally because of the immense amount of complex factors defining sounds
Has still been done, but generally in very restricted environments with narrow goals, and for graduate-level publications

7. Generative Music Cellular Automata (WolframTones, Life) Grammars
Interactive (Noatikl, Koan)
Emergent (wind chimes)
Grammers music
Emergent music that cannot be repeated

8. WolframTones Stephen Wolfram - " A New Kind of Science"
Used in web browser
Needs QuickTIme

9. WolframTones

10. Noatikl Generative Music Engine Launched in 2007
Generative Music Lab
Launched in 2007
Produced by Intermorphic
Replaced Koan
Produces MIDI
Musical Instrument Digital Interface

11. Noatikl

12. Noatikl

13. Noatikl Example I
:28

14. Evolutionary Music
Music that computationally evolves through generations to become 'aesthetically fit'
Built on genalgos and some form of evaluation, either neural nets or humans
Has had moderate amounts of success
Melomics in Malaga, Spain has composed full pieces in specific genres with evolutionary algorithms
1YA

15. Interactive & Video Games
Accept Input
Modify Output
During Playback
CD/MP3
Create Non-Linear
Start New/Change Existing
MIDI Piano/Turntable

16. Interactive Interactive Example Takes Input Mouse speed
Pipe length and diameter

17. Video Games All Game Sound is Interactive (Minus Music)
Always Interactive
Sounds constantly change
Evoke emotion or effect
Usually Synthetic
Oscillators & Filters
Real Instruments, Imaginary Sounds, Ambiance
Specific Equations

18. Video Game Example
In Game Example
Every Shot is Unique

19. More Info More Info http://www.procedural-audio.com/ papers demos
tools
presentations
writings