Chris McColl

I have an assignment that i am really struggling on, not sure if anyone could help getting me started?

You have been commissioned to produce an interactive track to represent a journey through the solar system. Your system must represent at least 3 planets and each planet should have a musical theme. Please note that the planet theme is just a vehicle to allow you to develop several tracks which relate to each other. The resources you build will be carried over into term 2.

There will be high level parameters, i.e. a control which influences several sonic events. For example, an automated intensity control might influence the density of samples output, tempo and might change the cut-off of a low-pass filter to make sounds appear ‘brighter’.

1.    A control to select the required planet

4.    Generative techniques which have been discussed in the lecture (e.g. those relating to probability and random numbers) to introduce variation into your themes without the need for user input. For example, random numbers might be used to subtly vary a melody line.

Your track might take the form of a soundscape (or ambient track), or might be based upon another genre of music (e.g. electro, pop, rock etc) as long as it evokes the feeling of movement between the planets.

Build a synthesizer which incorporates at least 1 sample-based sound synthesis method and 1 non sample-based sound synthesis method. The synthesizer should incorporate:

•    at least 1 sample-based sound synthesis method and 1 non sample-based sound synthesis method (e.g. a conventional oscillator),

•    generative techniques (For example, an automated intensity control which might influence tempo and density of sound)

•    event triggers (e.g. playing a note),

•    parameters relating to timbre.

The synthesizer should run totally independently with the GUI only being used to select the planet

I mainly need a starting point, then can develop it further myself

1.	A control to select the required planet
2.	Transitions between planets
3.	High level control of sound
4.	Generative techniques which have been discussed in the lecture (e.g. those relating to probability and random numbers) to introduce variation into your themes without the need for user input. For example, random numbers might be used to subtly vary a melody line.

•	at least 1 sample-based sound synthesis method and 1 non sample-based sound synthesis method (e.g. a conventional oscillator),
•	generative techniques (For example, an automated intensity control which might influence tempo and density of sound)
•	event triggers (e.g. playing a note),
•	parameters relating to timbre.
•	controllable effects.
•	evolving and varying output. 

automated-composition

The way that I would start is defining the system that separates the planets. Using a dict, you could create a system to organize and associate data to it's "planet". You could have a separate pitch collection for each planet, a collection of envelopes and preset data, a waveform, a reference to a sound file that can be used to sample, etc. When called to transition, pull in the data from both planets, and find values you can transition between smoothly.

Outside of that system, you could have your global tempo, key, etc. All of that could be parsed and fed into your synthesizer for control. Using the tempo object, you could use random bangs to change the subdivision of the beat. If there are layers, have a tempo object for each, and do the same between the two.

Not sure if that's what you wanted, but might give you something to think about to start?

The way that I would start is defining the system that separates the planets. Using a dict, you could create a system to organize and associate data to it's "planet". You could have a separate pitch collection for each planet, a collection of envelopes and preset data, a waveform, a reference to a sound file that can be used to sample, etc. When called to transition, pull in the data from both planets, and find values you can transition between smoothly. 

Outside of that system, you could have your global tempo, key, etc. All of that could be parsed and fed into your synthesizer for control. Using the tempo object, you could use random bangs to change the subdivision of the beat. If there are layers, have a tempo object for each, and do the same between the two. 

Not sure if that's what you wanted, but might give you something to think about to start?


there are dozen starting points in the description.

but i would start building the synthesis modules, then you have something to control when you build the compositional parts.

Consider compositional relationships that have nothing to do with conventional social/emotional meanings (mars is war-like, venus is romantic. blah blah.) Instead, design your parameters to reflect real astronomical data about orbit, rotation, size, presence of moons, geological features, etc.

Consider compositional relationships that have nothing to do with conventional social/emotional meanings (mars is war-like, venus is romantic.   blah blah.)  Instead, design your parameters to reflect real astronomical data about orbit, rotation, size, presence of moons, geological features, etc.


Which would be perfect for organizing in dict. Just organize a ton of data about the planets, and find ways to turn those values into control parameters.

this sounds like a cool assignment. I have been writing through the periodic table of elements for the past 8 years and constantly try to find ways to use data from the elements to create compositions.

for your assignment you can do real simple things like take the radius of Jupiter 69911 km and convert it to notes- F# A A C# C# and viola, you have a jupiter theme!

or if jupiter orbit is 12 years and saturn is 29 years then you might have a 12:29 ration between those planets that you could use for time such as phrase (think nancarrow)

hey, another contradictory 2 cents : begin with making one planet ; that is, the sound for one planet. Then make a second planet. Then think how to go from planet 1 to planet 2 ?..

Another 2 cents: make a real complex environment, with plenty of different synthesis engines. Use pattr objects and [nodes] to play with the different sound colors the planets may have. Assign each planet to a node. Use built-in pattr interpolation to travel from one planet to the other.

Another 2 cents: make a real complex environment, with plenty of different synthesis engines. Use pattr objects and [nodes] to play with the different sound colors the planets may have. Assign each planet to a node. Use built-in pattr interpolation to travel from one planet to the other.How would Holst's Mars sound if he had seen The Martian?


Start by building a synthesizer which incorporates at least 1 sample-based sound synthesis method and 1 non sample-based sound synthesis method.

Search the forums for "drone generator" for inspiration/cheating.

Automated Composition