Computer Generated Music Composition

[musicalis]

I am sorry, I do not understand what is the trouble with your computer.
Is it a trouble with the computer or a trouble only with my software.
Here is a demo of electroacoustic like style music made with "Dialog" : http://musicalis.monespace.net/autres/img164a.mp3

And, here, you can hear many music created with Harmony-Assistant with a special script I wrote :
http://musicalis.monespace.net/pages/19.html

[ProEtContra]

I'm telling you the truth my computer won't do it! It's being it's
stuburn self again this computer. I wanted to hear some of it.
It would stop in the middle of a song and say "error can't find file"!
judy tooley

It wasn’t a long time ago, with the appearance of computers...
"...computers will never defeat humans in the game of chess..."
"...Robert Moog: a dangerous anarchist out to destroy music as we know it..."
There's no area of art, science... that hasn't been compared in this or any other similar way.
Now, try to imagine musicians today who had never used the computer or chess analysis without comp assistance or...

So what is my point here you ask?

A couple of days ago, I have started in this, as well as in some other popular and well visited forums, a new thread titled "Computer Generated Music Composition". The topic for general discussion was a question "Pro Et Contra" on subject: programs for virtual composing / virtual music composers.
Too often the feedback is the same as in the sentences above mentioned.
So, do we have to wait again for several more years before we admit to ourselves that computers have become an inevitable and helpful tool while composing music. Whether we like it or not, it is reality.

The human touch will never be replaced, but that does not neccessarily mean that it can not be pushed and helped by IT. IT can do it also!

Probably you'll say now: He's one of them (developer, author...). Yes, I'm one of them. But, I have never mentioned any fact which would point to it. So, it is not an advertising. I'm just curious about this topic...

[Krummhorn]

I'm telling you the truth my computer won't do it! It's being it's stuburn self again this computer. I wanted to hear some of it.
It would stop in the middle of a song and say "error can't find file"!
judy tooley

That's not the fault of the computer ... it's quite possibly your internet connection causing the bub-a-boo when the "error can't find file" appears.

If you are using a "wireless" connection, there are other electronic transmissions that can cause interference at times, too.

I pulled up the files in question when they were posted, and re-checked them today and all was fine.

[Andrew Roussak]

It wasn’t a long time ago, with the appearance of computers...
"...computers will never defeat humans in the game of chess..."
"...Robert Moog: a dangerous anarchist out to destroy music as we know it..."
There's no area of art, science... that hasn't been compared in this or any other similar way.
Now, try to imagine musicians today who had never used the computer or chess analysis without comp assistance or...

So what is my point here you ask?

A couple of days ago, I have started in this, as well as in some other popular and well visited forums, a new thread titled "Computer Generated Music Composition". The topic for general discussion was a question "Pro Et Contra" on subject: programs for virtual composing / virtual music composers.
Too often the feedback is the same as in the sentences above mentioned.
So, do we have to wait again for several more years before we admit to ourselves that computers have become an inevitable and helpful tool while composing music. Whether we like it or not, it is reality.

The human touch will never be replaced, but that does not neccessarily mean that it can not be pushed and helped by IT. IT can do it also!

Probably you'll say now: He's one of them (developer, author...). Yes, I'm one of them. But, I have never mentioned any fact which would point to it. So, it is not an advertising. I'm just curious about this topic...

ProEtContra,

sorry if I repeat anything, but I guess I still do not understand your point about computer generated music exactly. Which music and for what purposes? This is a core question.

Here some thoughts about it - as I may judge, you develop music software professionally , and need a feedback. I'll be glad if the following may help you.

1. First off, I am very positive concerning using of any music software. As the first synths came, a completely new genre of music ( NEW AGE ) was born, and it did in no respect kill an interest to classical or live music. Furthermore, it had even stimulated such interest ( Switched On Bach, works of Isao Tomita etc. ). PC or Mac are very useful and powerful tools , which Chopin or Mozart could never dream of.

2. Virtual instruments and samplers are already extremely sophisticated - but I think this development came now to kinda "natural limit", set by consumer ( listener). Here a couple of examples.

About a year ago I have read an interview with a very required, top German film composer. A professional of his level would have no ( budget ) probs to make use of any software - for a film score he would likely use a Vienna Symphonic Library. Still, he doesn't. He would rather fly to Romania or Poland to record a live orchestra there ( it is cheaper than in DE ). In his own words, a software can NEVER REPLACE A REAL ORCHESTRA, each musician of which has his own art of playing and years of experience behind him.

Well, knowing the opportunities of VSL, I would say - it actually can ( replace ), but you would need a week of hard labour for a 20-min orchestra piece. This is exactly a job, which an orchestra makes in 20 minutes, with a better result.

3. I had once a chance to speak to mr. Garritan in person, and to his Italian stuff - the two guys who had created a Stradivari Violin software. This programm is a wonder - it sounds like an absolutely real violin, a ready-to-go solution for film music, pop production etc.

But , is it theoretically worth it , to record a violin concerto using this program? I would say - nobody will buy such record then. Even in rock productions, if you replace a drummer with his software clone and put this fact on the cover, you will get the bad sales in response. Even if a listener fails to distinguish a real instrument from its programmed version, he still wants to be sure to get a performance of Jan Pace or Mike Portnoy for his 15 dollars.

Generally, I can not imagine the situation, that people would ever have an interest to:
- read the books written by computer;
- enjoy the pictures created ONLY by means of software;
- buy the CDs ( or what it would be, whatever ) containing computer generated music.

The final consumer is a human being, and people would normally want to have real performance, and a real composer behind a composition. Music generated by computer and played by computer can be only sold to computer.

Concerning a composing software -

it really depends upon , which kind of music is meant here. I can absolutely imagine the educational programs generating music ( they are there already -
Band In The Box... ). Or something just for fun.

In any other case, beginning with film music - a "real" composer will be always a better solution. Any tool brings the best results being used by a professional. And whether an educated composer will ever NEED SUCH A HELPER TO CREATE MUSIC , is another - somewhat interesting - question. My answer is rather not, because composing itself is not only a job - it is a joy. Will we ever miss good composers? Looking through my friends' list on MySpace - strongly doubt

Regards,
Andrew

[ProEtContra]

ProEtContra,
Here some thoughts about it - as I may judge, you develop music software professionally , and need a feedback. I'll be glad if the following may help you.

Hello Andrew,
That's "Why Forum!"
That's "The Help".
Thanks.

[Laszlo]

Hello there,

I have written a software for music practice, improvisation, and composition. It's called ChordPulse. It won't compose music for you, but it's a nice way to experiment with chord progressions and music styles. The program is very easy to use and I think it can be very inspiring to try out different musical ideas in no time. Please let me know what you think about it.

[musicalis]

OK but where is this software ?

[Laszlo]

Sorry, you can find it at ChordPulse.com.

[wljmrbill]

???? tried address above.. could not connect as: http://www.ChordPulse.com