A developer’s journey into Electronic MusicCrafting Software & Electronic Music
Who am I ?
What is Electronic Music?• Electronic music is music that employs electronic
musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production.
• Today electronic music includes many varieties and ranges from experimental art music to popular forms such as electronic dance music.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_music
What is Electronic Music?• Electronic music is music that employs electronic
musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production.
• Today electronic music includes many varieties and ranges from experimental art music to popular forms such as electronic dance music.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_music
• Electric Instruments (1930s): • Theremin • Ondes Martenot • Trautonium
Origin of Electronic Music
• Electric Instruments (1930s): • Theremin • Ondes Martenot • Trautonium
Origin of Electronic Music
• Electric Instruments (1930s): • Theremin • Ondes Martenot • Trautonium
Origin of Electronic Music
• Electric Instruments (1930s): • Theremin • Ondes Martenot • Trautonium
Origin of Electronic Music
Chronology• 1948: musique concrète & électro-acoustique (Shaeffer/
Henry/Boulez) • In his 1949 thesis Elektronische Klangerzeugung, Meyer-Eppler
conceived the idea to synthesize music entirely from electronically produced signals
• In the late 1960s, pop and rock musicians, including The Beach Boys and The Beatles, began to use electronic instruments, like the Theremin and Mellotron,
• Released in 1970 by Moog Music the Mini-Moog became the most widely used synthesizer in both popular and electronic art music. (Herbie Hancock / Tangerine Dreams / Floyd / Jarre / Moroder / Cerrone …)
• The early 1980s saw the rise of bass synthesizers, the most influential being the Roland TB-303, a bass synthesizer and sequencer released in late 1981 that later became a fixture in electronic dance music,[86] particularly acid house . It’s also the arrival of digital samplers and drums machines.
source: Wikipedia
Electronic Music Making & Software ProgrammingCulture and Similarities
Electronic Music Making & Software ProgrammingCulture and Similarities
Pioneers
Pioneers
1st computer
1st analog synth (24 poly)
Fame & Money
Popular computer
Popular Synth
Gurus: 2 uncles Bob!
!
!
!
!
!
• ...Martin
The synthesis of soundFundamentals explained by Bob Moog
The synthesis of soundFundamentals explained by Bob Moog
Electronic music tooling
• Analog/Modular Synthetizers • FM Synthetizers • Drums Machines • Samplers • Sequencers / DAW • Digital Synth / VST / Digital Emulation
Digital Audio Workstation
Ableton Live 9
IDE / DAW
• Write code • Sequence • Refactor • Bind • Build • Output
• Compose • Sequence • Arrange • Mix • Preview • Render
Let’s see it … in Live!
Sequencer
Let’s see it … in Live!
Drum Machines
It’s about Patterns
Let’s see it … in Live!
Sampler
Automating the Copy
Let’s see it … in Live!
Sampling is Art?
Digital Synths / VSTs• Virtual Studio Technology • Plug-ins • Modularity • Composition
Let’s see it … in Live!
Libraries <> Frameworks• Tools to be more productive
Let’s see it … in Live!
Crafting and Creating
• Similarities in Techniques and Practices
Fundamental Code
Some help to write it?• Snippet?
!
• Patterns? !
• Scaffholding? !
• Scripting? !
• AOP?
! Arpegiator?!
! Patterns?!
! Presets?!
! Automation?!
! Patches?
Programming vs E-Music• Composing / Finding Patterns • Sound synthesis (Modern
Luthery) * • Sampling * • Assembling (Digital Audio
Workstation) • Applying Effects / Shaping • Mastering • Distributing • Playing / Performing
• Understanding • Culture • Design • Code • Test • Refactoring • Patterns • Deliver • Quality
Highly skilled• We know our instruments • We know the electronic culture and sub culture • Reference to the “Standards” • Modern Luthery • Chord structure • Groove • Rythms • Sound Processing • Mixing • Mastering
SpecializedSubject experts - Aim to master main instrument
But we understand each others instruments Diverse backgrounds Defined roles No one Leader People/Role interchange
IT Protocols
Music Protocol• Musical Instrument Digital Interface
Programming Languages
Popular Languages
Programming Musicthe Pure Data language
Graphical Programming
https://www.ableton.com/en/blog/build-max-live-device-beginner-tutorials-point-blank/
Graphical Programminghttp://en.flossmanuals.net/pure-data/introduction/graphical-programming/
Let’s see it … Live!
Drawback
• Terrible lack of abstraction :(
Parametrizable tools
Max 4 Live / MSP / JitterMORE ON http://www.cycling74.com/docs/max5/vignettes/intro/docintro.html
SuperCollider
• an Open Source programmable audio engine
http://www.audiosynth.com/
A new kind of Luthery• Re-invent your own instruments
!
• Discover new sounds !
• Explore infinite combinations !
• Crafting musical computers for new musics' performance and improvisation
http://goo.gl/nyb38q
http://goo.gl/zL6yj1
Communities• http://overtone.github.io/
Communities• Agile • Koding Dojos • Conferences
! DIY ! Live Jams ! Rencontres
http://www.les-siestes-electroniques.com/Rencontres-Futurism
The DIY Music AcademyA desire to share knowledge …
… a band playing « live jams »
Playing in Band / Live Jam• Team
• Self organisation • Increase connexions • Learn from mistakes • Requires Creativity • Requires Vision • Anticipates • Need practice (a lot) • Flexibility
http://fr.slideshare.net/SUGSA/agile-the-jazz-manifesto
! Improvisation !Accept changes !Express ourselves !Challenge ourselves !Build on other’s ideas !Keep musical references !Incremental performance !Need rehearsal (a lot!) !Adapt to the audience
• Pair Progamming !Famous Duos
Coordination in Collaboration• Play together to achieve a common goal • Rehearsals / Continuous Improvement • Emerging conception • Tools for Coordinate and collaborate • No « chef d’orchestre », only synchronization • Self directed team • Group creativity
Are we on TDD?
• Objective Goals • Test first • We practice • We deliver
! Subjective matter ! We play first ! We practice ! We release
A matter of Styles• Automates • Imperative progr. • Procedural • Object Oriented • Declarative • Functionnal • Data Oriented
• ElectroAcoustic • Concrete music • Stochastic music • Modernism • Techno/House • Ambient/ NewAge • Drum & Bass /
Jungle • Trance , Hardcore ,
Electro , Nudisco ….
Soooo many styles
http://goo.gl/I6rPK
The importance of Remixes• Constant Evolution of a Work • Open it to others • Let the others refactor or re-interpret • Open Contests • The art of reusing
The art of DJing• Assembling music / cut-n-paste • Making artwork build with others • Is the DJ a musician? • He is skilled? • Is he a real author? • Author and copy rights? • The status of the DJ
Help! Everyone is a dj…
Can everyone be a (good) developper?
Do I have to feel bad ?
• IF I DO ELECTRONIC MUSIC
• it’s « Dance » Music
• A music for leisure
• Played at night in dark places
• It’s an industry
• Needs good crafters
• IF I AM A GAME DEVELOPER
• it’s for Gaming and Kids
• A product for Entertainment
• Played at night in dark rooms
• It’s an industry
• Needs good developers
Old practices
Best pratices?
Agile?
4ème édition parisienne tous les dimanches après-midis du mois de juillet : les 6, 13, 20 et 27 juillet 2014, de 16 à
18h. - http://www.les-siestes-electroniques.com/
Top Related