Algorithms (or, at the very least, formal sets of rules) have been used to compose music for centuries; the procedures used to plot voice-leading in Western counterpoint, for example, can often be reduced to algorithmic determinacy. The term is usually reserved, however, for the use of formal procedures to make music without human intervention, either through the introduction of chance procedures or the use of computers.
Many algorithms that have no immediate musical relevance are used by composers as creative inspiration for their music. Algorithms such as fractals, L-systems, statistical models, and even arbitrary data (e.g. The success or failure of these procedures as sources of "good" music largely depends on the mapping system employed by the composer to translate the non-musical information into a musical data stream.
So what is algorithmic music? Simply put, it is music that is composed using an automatic process (which can include computer software). It does not include automatic performance. It can be random, semi-random, fractal, or produced by some other complex computed means. As well as the mass of good MIDI sequencing and composition software that is available, there is a lot of excellent fractal/algorithmic music software available - much of it is free- or shareware.
Flickr Photo Gallery: Algorithmic Music Uploads
YouTube Recent Videos Gallery: Algorithms & Music
Algorithmic Music Evolution Engine (AMEE)
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Author: WORLDiscoveries
Keywords: digital media music composiiton gaming
Added: January 25, 2010
Dr. Paul Burdick, John Kiehl - Making explicit the implicit intersections of art and science
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Author: Rutgers
Keywords: rutgers university computer science dimacs algorithmic art workshop mathematics paul burdick new england conservatory music john kiehl soundtrack recording studios york city perceptual conceptual inquiry integration software
Added: December 22, 2009
AlgoRythmic
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Author: BELAGA09
Keywords: algorithmic music Osnat Youssin
Added: December 7, 2009
SoundHelix Song 7
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Author: SoundHelix
Keywords: SoundHelix AlgoMusic random music algorithmic music Sound Helix
Added: November 23, 2009
Magic Square Music 1
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Technorati Feeds Tagged With "Algorithm"
Top News Stories: Algorithmic Music
Knight Introduces Algorithmic Pairs Trading Capabilities (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
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ASX: you still need us to protect against computer trades (Sydney Morning Herald)
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Google Gets More Social With Buzz (New York Times)
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ASX points finger at machine traders (The Age)
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External Links
Sample Random Music Generator, Gnosis Arts Multimedia Communications LLC
