The Sonic Generator (2007, rev. 2008) [1-5']

Premiere: "Signals of the Vitruvian Man.' Belfast, UK 2/29/08

The Sonic Generator was part of my comprehensive examination for my master's degree at Georgia State University. The task was to write an algorithm which would create one minute of music out of one second of sound. There were several caveats stipulating synthesis methods to be used and the direction of material elaboration. The result was a DOS batch file controlling several Csound orchestras, with scores created by Mikel Kuehn's "nGen" program. Each time the program is run, it follows the same musical form, but nGen creates different rhythms and pitches. These new rhythms and pitches, combined with unique timbres in every pass, create slightly different surfaces to the same piece.

In concert, up to five examples of this program may be played. The presenter may use my examples, but it is preferable that he run the program using his own samples. This piece was named in honor of the contemporary music ensemble at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Example 1: Drain

Example 2: Onion

Example 3: "Yellow"

Example 4: Drums

Example 5: Dog bark


Try the computer program yourself: [download - .zip] [paper - .pdf]