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Live Algorithms
for Music
The network will investigate the use of autonomous computers in creative performance. Our interest is in systems that run live algorithms, that is to say systems which collaborate actively with human performers - or other machines - in real-time performance, and can do so without the presence of a human operator. The requirement of a live algorithm is that it should participate in a performance just as a human might, making apt and creative contributions to the musical dimensions of sound, time and structure. The network brings together performers, composers and scientists in the areas of cognition, artificial intelligence and computing. The network is headed by Dr Tim Blackwell (Dept of Computing, Goldsmiths) and Dr Michael Young (Dept of Music, Goldsmiths). Live algorithms? Where can we find one? Live algorithms may involve extra-musical systems that show potential musical properties (i.e. generate patterns which may be interpreted musically). Algorithms may be derived from, amongst others, the fields of evolutionary computation, artificial life, swarm intelligence, chaotic dynamics and cellular automata, neural networks and machine consciousness. But are they alive? The network will explore creative interactivity with such algorithms. Cognitive Science and AI techniques may provide useful models of human-computer interaction, but the task is not centred on notions of musical, or other, consciousness. Generative programs will not necessarily 'know' they are generating music. However, although live algorithms may not be alive, they may not be fully inert either. Since it is anticipated that they will be autonomous and capable of creative interaction with humans, there is always the potential of personification, at least to the ears of the audience. With this in mind, the network will also explore developments in machine consciousness, since there may well be useful ideas that can apply to our domain, even if our aims are somewhat different. So what's new? We do not seek systems that are pre-loaded with a syntax derived from the rules of music theory. Composed systems have often employed rule-based approaches that relate input to output; novelty occurs due to the indeterminacy of the input. Such systems are apposite in well-defined genres such as jazz. However, live algorithms will contain parametric representations of the external aural environment. These parameters will change to reflect the interaction between the machine and the environment. In one possible model, these parameters will influence the dynamic flow of a non-musical patterning algorithm. This hidden algorithm must then be re-interpreted as a stream of sonic events. In our vision, the computer is simultaneously composing and performing, and the algorithms are dependent on interactivity. In other words, they are improvisational, and the network will draw on the expert advice of improvising musicians to find out what they might expect from an improvising machine. Our aims The aims of the network include the generation of a number of integrated research proposals, the design, implementation and performance of prototype systems and the preparation of inter-disciplinary papers. The network will also seek to stimulate interest in related areas of research in the computer music community. Public performances and music workshops led by network members will be a feature of the network's activities throughout. The initial funded period will end with a conference with an associated publication and performance of live algorithms. The activities during this conference will be open to the public and the media. This website will continue dissemination of the aims and achievements of the network, and give access to software and creative work. LAM 1 Live Algorithms Concert First Research Workshop Second Research Workshop Members include |
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