Experimental Computer Music and Electronic Music Creation

Free Computer Music Software 

Free and Open Source Software for creating Computer Music

Pure Data (pd)

This Free software (Win, Mac, GNU/Linux) is developed by Miller Puckette - the same person that originally developped the interactive programming language MAX. PD (stands for Pure Data) and is similiar to Max - allowing you to patch together various Midi and audio modules to create unique computer music instruments. A link to a tutorial is listed in one of the sections below.

Csound

Csound is another Free program for creating music with a computer (Win, Mac, Linux). Csound is one of the most powerful computer music languages available. The language is primarily text based and in its native format is not "real time". The composer descrbes the sounds and the score using a text language consisting primarily of various op-codes and paramaters. After creating these text files the composer than renders the score. Containing oveer 450 modules for generating and processing sound, this program allows for the creation of sound using virtually every process imaginable. This site will direct you to the Source Forge site for downloading Csound as welll as provides a wealth of information concerning the language.

ChucK Audio Programming Language

ChucK is a real-time audio programming language for synthesis, composition, and performance. This language is being developed at the SoundLab at Princeton University. It is available for download free for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.

SuperCollider

Here is how SuperCollider is described on their web site : "SuperCollider is an environment and programming language for real time audio synthesis and algorithmic composition. It provides an interpreted object-oriented language which functions as a network client to a state of the art, realtime sound synthesis server." SuperCollider is available for Mac OSX, Linux, and a beta is available for Windows

Planet CCRMA

A free collection of software packages that you can add to a computer running RedHat 9 or Fedora Core 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 to transform it into an audio/video oriented workstation (only on the 32 bit versions, Planet CCRMA has not yet been built on 64 bit versions of the underlying operating system).

Kenaxis

Kenaxis is a realtime performance software allowing for the use of the laptop in improvisational and compositional settings. This software allows for live sampling and real time sound manipulation including looping, granulation, and convolution. There is also Kenaxis VBAP for surround sound playback: spin, spiral or exact placement of sounds are all possible in realtime.

jMax

A Java implementation of the Max programming language. Runs on Linux PC, Mas OS X, and Windows (beta version).

SynStart

The Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology (ICST) of the Zurich School of Music developed SynStart, and describes it as follows: "SynStart is a free open source framework for audio programming in C++. It embeds all the interfaces and book keeping routines required to build stand-alone real-time sound generators for the Windows platform: A polyphonic multitimbral voice manager, ASIO and DirectX audio, MME and DirectX MIDI, and a basic graphical user interface. It does not provide predefined audio algorithms however. Instead, the developer retains full control over signal processing and can concentrate his design effort on the core of the instrument. "

Also, check out the Digital Sound Generation Book they offer (listed in a link list lower on the page).

pure:dyne

pure:dyne is an operating system built for live sound and visuals. It is based on Linix and can run on either an Intel Mac or virtually any Intel based PC. It requires no installation - it runs from a CD. In addition, the distribution include a LOT of sound and video software - including the above mentioned PD and Csound.

KeyKit

KeyKit is a real time graphical programing environment for MIDI (does not handle audio). It is very useful in experimenting with realtime and algorithmic music.

Impromptu

Impromptu is a free Mac OS X program for creating interact music - and graphics. The programming language Impromptu uses is Scheme, which is a variation of the Lisp programming language. Impromptu is optimized for use in live performance, to the point of allowing you to write and incorporate low level sound synthesis code during performance.

Lily

Lily is a browser based virtual programming environment. Lily is written in JavaScript. It is not specialized to music and sound, however the developers have incorporated Open Sound Control (OSC) in Lily. This is essentially a web based environment similiar to Pd (above) or Max (a commercial product). An beatbox example of music/sound development is on the the Lily website.

Open Sound World

Open Sound World is an open source graphical programming environment for processing sound in response to real time control. Open sound World is available for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X.

HighC

HighC is a music composition tool inspired by Iannis Xenakis' UPIC. HighC allows you to draw curves in the time/frequency domain, assign envelopes and waveforms to them, and use copy/paste/move/resize operations to create easily very rich soundscapes. HighC is a Java based application.

Ess

Ess is a Java base (uses JavaSound) app that allows you to stream, generate, manipulate, and anlayze samples in real time. It looks interesting - it seems a small amout of code can do quite a lot. However, the documentation is somewhat weak, It appears to bu built on top of the "Processing" language/environment.

Algorithmic Music Composition Websites 

Algorithmic Net

This site is a virtual library of algorithmic composition tools and information. There are links to many freeware/shareware/opensource software applications, as well as links to articles and books on algorithmic composition available on the internet.

Karlheinz Essl: Music Software

A number of software programs, primarily for the Apple Macintosh, for live performance, music composition and sound design. This is real time software that uses various generative algorithms to create music and soundscapes.

Music Algorithms

This website contains a series of interactive tools for exploring algorithmic music composition and sound analysis.

cgMusic

cgMusic is a free algorithmic music program that creates music in a wide variety of styles. It uses 2 master algorithms which have numerous parameters that can be adjusted. The final songs are written as Standard MIDI Files to be played with a General MIDI synth. cgMusic is for Windows.

Experimental Interfaces 

Monome Controller

An open source alternate controller consisting of a 8 x 8, or larger, grid of backlit buttons. Completely programmable and reconfigurable. They are available as kits for you to assemble. A VERY INTERESTING project

Auduinome

A DIY Arduino based Monome clone. Very Cool!

RGB Monome Clone

Here is information for building another Monome Clone. It is a pretty plain web site, but it seems to contain all the information you need, including schematics, parts suppliers, and code (I haven't built this so I am not certain of the completeness). The clone is based around an Arduino processor. The author has not completed the the color button part of the site - it will be interesting to see this upgrade!

The Stribe

The Stribe is an 8 channel touch controller. Each channel is a touch sensitive slide controller. Each channel can be operated by sliding a finger along it's length, or by touching a specific location along it's length. In addition, each channel has a dual row of LEDs to provide visual feedback. Note, this is an advanced project.

Monome Applications

A collection of applications for the above mentioned Monome controller.

Aurora Open Source Mixer

Aurora is an Open Source controller/mixer. It can be used to control/mix sounds on a computer. The design is much like a DJ mixer, but itoffers many possibilities. The web site contains everything you need to build and program this controller, including schematics, source code for both the on-board micro controller and the host program, printed Circuit board art work, and enclosure specs. Be sure to look at the "Media" page to see just how great the finished controller looks!

DIY 3D controller

Here is a 3-dimensional controller built with an Arduino controller, aluminum foil, six resistors, and a few basic miscellaneous parts. It works on the same principles as a theremin except in 3 dimensions.

Computer and Electronic Music Hardware and Interfaces 

Paia Electronics

This is a fantastic company for any interested in building their own electronic instruments. They have numerous kits that range from complete instruments (including a theremin kit) to individual sound generation and processing modules. The instructions are fantastic and provide an explanation of the theory behind the electronics.

Resonant Frequency

A web site for DIY electronic music hardware. There is a fairly large number of DIY links for all types of schematics and synths. Also, there is also a section of links to articles on the basics of electronics and building a synth.

Electronic Music Schematics

A HUGE collection of schematics for sound generation and processing hardware.

MIDIsense DIY analog to MIDI board

An open source analog to midi board provided by Limor Fried. This is a somewhat advanced DIY project, however a kit or a just a printed circuit board are available.

uCApps

As they say on their web site "DIY Projects for MIDI Hardware Geeks". Includes projects for MIDI processors, mergers, routers etc....

Highly Liquid MIDI Decoder Kits

A great collection of kits for interfacing MIDI with other electronics. Their kits allow you to use MIDI to control a wide variety of electronics including servo motors, relays, digital logic chips, or control voltage synths. They also have a line of controllers for retrofitting older electronic synths and sound generating electronics.

littleBits

littleBits is an open source repository of electronic circuits assembled as individual circuit boards. These individual boards can be interconnected to create complex projects. Right now the website only has some demo videos, but they say "Stay tuned, design files, schematics and instructions will be online soon". I'll be watching.

Microcontrollers 

Arduino Physical Computing Interface

This is from Arduino's web site:
Arduino is an open-source physical computing platform based on a simple i/o board, and a development environment for writing Arduino software. Arduino can be used to develop interactive objects, taking inputs from a variety of switches or sensors, and controlling a variety of lights, motors, and other outputs. Arduino projects can be stand-alone, or they can be communicate with software running on your computer (e.g. Flash, Processing, MaxMSP.) The boards can be assembled by hand or purchased preassembled; the open-source IDE can be downloaded for free. There is a series of articles on working with sound on the Arduino microcontrollers starting here. Each article links to the next

NumberSix

A $25 open source bare-bones computer to use as a microcontroller!

Garnier

Another open source microcontroller project. The site provides everything you need to build this. In addition, this site has software libraries for interfacing this controller with Max/MSP and Flash. Purchasing all parts for this project costs about $30.

Other Computer/Electronic Music Web Sites and Resources 

Pure Data tutorial

Tutorials on using Pure Data. From basic music making to building synths and sound effects. Overall, quite good.

Programming Electronic Music in Pd

A new tutorial on programming Pd. The entire tutorial is available on this website, or it can be purchased as a book. All patches used in the tutorial can be downloaded from the website.

Digital Sound Generation Book

From Icst's website: "This continuously evolving online book covers methods and industry-grade algorithms for musical synthesizers. It is intended to serve as a developer's reference.... The part about oscillators is now provided for download.

Open Studios

An interesting community based web site that describes itsef as follows:

"Open Studios acts as a global Help Desk for those who want to build and operate community-based recording studios. With little more than a cheap computer, that cheap desktop computer can become a world-class producer of CDs, DVDs, tv and radio shows, audio and video podcasts, even full-featured documentaries."

The Theory and Techniques of Electronic Music

This is a book by Miller Puckette the developer of Pure Data (listed above). This web page has a web version of the book, a pdf version, a postcript version, and a link to the publisher where you can purchase the book.

Writing Your Music Software Yourself 

The Music-DSP Source Code Archive

Information and code samples for writing DSP based music software.

Experimental Computer Music Composers 

Nicolas Collins

Someone who has created the most interesting electronic devices for music creation. He is the author of Handmade Electronic Music: The Art Of Hardware Hacking listed below.

Laetitia Sonami

A great Computer/Electronic Music Composer/Performer. She is best known for her "Ladies Glove", a glove that is interfaced with a computer to control sound production and processing.

David Tudor

David Tudor is not only one of the premiere figures in new music performance, but as a composer he chose to connect various electronic components and create and perform music that focused on their components' interconnections.

Experimental Computer Music Videos 

IRCAM Video

A short video from Techstull on IRCAM, France's Institute for Computer For Research and Acoustic Music Coordination founded by Pierre Boulez. IRCAM is one of the worlds lading research centers for computer music.

ChucK: A Computer Music Programming Language

This is a video of a lecture given by Ge Wang, one of the developers of ChucK. The lecture discusses the design, philosophy, and development of ChucK. Also, the use of ChucK in the Princeton Laptop Orchestra (PLOrk) is featured.

Centers for Experimental Computer Music 

STEIM

Center for experimental electro-acoustic music dedicated to the performng arts in Amsterdam. They have developed or assisted in the development of numerous hardware and software projects including The Hands, The Sensor Lab, mage/line and LiSa.