Subject: Re: wanted: synthesis and algorithmic music overview and /freeware etc for a teenage Rocker
From: Peter Castine (pcastine@gmx.net)
Date: Wed Dec 19 2007 - 20:08:28 EST
Freeware
If the kid is a little unix-savvy he could look at Pd (http://
www.puredata.org). Pd also runs on Mac OS and Windows, but it's Unix/
Open Source heritage shows through. Pd is a graphical programming
language first and foremost for audio synthesis, scheduling, and MIDI
control.
Alternately SuperCollider is, IMHO, better integrated into Mac OS
(not Windows!) but it's a text-based programming language. It's a
very cool language, but it's like, um, real programming. On the
positive side, it comes with tons of examples you can start playing
with immediately. <http://supercollider.sourceforge.net/>
If aged aunt grew up with Music IV & Co, she might find that csound
has a certain dčja-vu-all-over-again about it. http://www.csounds.com/
Not Freeware: Max/MSP is the commercial cousin of Pd. It costs money
but personally I find the support provided worth every penny. I think
it also looks a lot better than Pd, but that's my personal. <http://
www.cycling74.com>. Native Instruments' Reaktor is another commercial
Graphic Programming Language for audio/synth/alg.comp.
Books
Richard Boulanger's _The Csound Book_ is probably required reading if
you want to go the csound route.
There are too many books on synthesis to name all. For a bright and
determined teenager I think the Dodge/Jerse book "Computer Music"
comes closest to being accessible while still providing lots of hard
core information. Dodge/Jerse also has a chapter on algorthmic comp
which is a pretty decent overview.
There's a book by Phil Winsor on algorithmic programming in BASIC
that I frankly didn't think a lot of. But it might be more accessible
than, say, Xenakis' Formalized Music (which might frighten him off...
unless, that is, he's into DJ Spooky, who's been an unexpected
advocate of Xenakis' music).
There may be some lighter reading books that I'm not aware of.
You should be able to find all the books at Amazon by searching on
author name.
Hope this helps,
Peter
On 20-Dec-2007, at 1:29, susan frykberg wrote:
> Hi Everybody,
>
> I'm trying to buy a book or books and or locate a freeware site for
> synthesis and algorithmic music that would be good for my nephew, a
> 16 year old rocker who 'wants to know more about cool things you
> can do with music and computers' after he found out that his aged
> aunt used to muck about with such thing!! It's supposed to be a
> christmas present so any and all suggestions rapidly received will
> be gratefully accepted.
>
> Agape and have a great Christmas everybody
>
> susan
>
>
>
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