Computer Generated Music Composition

[ProEtContra]

With today's virtual instruments, audio editing programs...there's no limit...
But what's about Composing music, how to create new song/melody/theme...? Composing music with computers is almost norm? Pro Et Contra?

[ambernector]

What???? What topic are you trying to start here?traightface:

[ProEtContra]

What???? What topic are you trying to start here?traightface:

First of all i would like to say: obviously I didn't make it clear enough ("Computer Generated Music").
Today's "composing music" is - almost - manipulation by combining and mixing with already exiting loops and patterns.
But, what's about the melody, tune...???
It's not too simple, so, why shouldn't we accept the help of IT?
Probably, you'll be surprised by the amount of software that you will find: Apple Computer's GarageBand software, Classical Music Composer, Easy Music Composer, FlexiMusic Composer, Fractal Music Composer, Jump, Magix Music Maker, Virtual Music Composer,... Yes, all these programs compose new music. And really important notice:
they doesn't require any special knowledge or/and skills of composition. Just click a couple of buttons and listen to the music, new songs. And it belongs to you!...

[Tiggi]

There have always been plenty of rock musicians who are unable to read music, and this hasn't stopped them from writing good music.

Software may enable non-musicians to have a stab, but if they don't have the instinct for creating something worthwhile, then it's just a pastime.

Musical talent will always win through.

[ProEtContra]

There have always been plenty of rock musicians who are unable to read music, and this hasn't stopped them from writing good music.

Software may enable non-musicians to have a stab, but if they don't have the instinct for creating something worthwhile, then it's just a pastime.

Musical talent will always win through.

So, the author of this song - 100% - (main theme and harmony) is a software...

http://www.virtualmusiccomposer.com/radi..._Video.ram

[ambernector]

Are you a computer composer ProEtContra?

[ProEtContra]

Yes, but it is not a point of discussion.

It wasn't a long time ago, with the appearance of computers...
"...computers will never defeat humans in the game of chess..."
"...Robert Moog: a dangerous anarchist out to destroy music as we know it..."
There's no area of art, science... that hasn't been compared in this or any other similar way.
Now, try to imagine musicians today who had never used the computer or chess analysis without comp assistance or...

So what is my point here you ask?

A couple of days ago, I have started in this, as well as in some other popular and well visited forums, a new thread titled "Computer Generated Music Composition". The topic for general discussion was a question "Pro Et Contra" on subject: programs for virtual composing / virtual music composers.

Too often the feedback is the same as in the sentences above mentioned...or almost none as you can see...

So, do we have to wait again for several more years before we admit to ourselves that computers have become an inevitable and helpful tool while composing music. Whether we like it or not, it is reality.
The human touch will never be replaced, but that does not neccessarily mean that it can not be pushed and helped by IT. IT can do it also!

Probably you'll say now: He's one of them (developer, author...). Yes, I'm one of them. But, I have never mentioned any fact which would point to it. So, it is not an advertising. I'm just curious about this topic...

[Tiggi]

I have no problem at all with technology in music, and would agree that its' use is inevitable. However, in my mind, if as you say 100% of the above is computer generated, then you are "composing" nothing.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding your composition process. Dance music can be entirely produced using IT, but artists who work in this field are manipulating software to produce their music. If this is what you're talking about, then I'd say there's no problem since the manipulation is a creative process. If you're simply pressing a button and a tune falls out, then there's no creative input.

[Jerome]

I use various methods to compose music. I might fiddle around with a Moog to find the sound that I imagine would fit with the piece I am creating. Or I might play a series of chords I particularly like on an acoustic guitar or piano and then translate it to a software synth or even hire a string section to play that part. Sometimes an ARP can create rhythmns which might suggest a beat or pattern that can be expanded upon. etc.etc. These are all just tools to be used (and have a lot of fun with) to arrive at your destination. And there is the whole crux of the matter. You have created parts - by whatever means to arrive at the final product. i.e you have an idea at the outset and you carefully craft the material to achieve the desired result. A computer can't think and has no soul - two key elements in any creative process. When you read something like 'random generated' in IT speak, it's a fallacy. The machine has to operate according to physical laws and algorithms - a human being does not. I like electronic music and somtimes it can be highly emotive as well, but you have to have the idea to start with.
'Loops' are a total waste of time and do not introduce anything new which is why we keep hearing the same old crap over and over. I use a sampling package called "Artist Drums' to lay down my plan for the drumkit and to experiment with parts to see what is going to work with the rest of the instruments and once I think I have it down it goes off to Marc - a drummer in Baltimore (and also incidentally, a pilot for SouthWest Airlines - I think - in the United States) who emulates the part on a real kit in the correct recording environment. The human touch adds depth interest and dynamics to the part. And it also introduces elements to the mix that you might not have thought of. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't, but they are far better than the 'copy & paste' method used by some 'musicians'. By the way I don't read music and have never had any lessons of any kind - but I do think I have an 'instinct' for it (obviously not everyone's cup of tea - the music, I mean - but that's life) and no computer can replicate that. The human imagination is limitless - a computer's program is not.

http://www.marcnorgaard.com/

PS

If you are looking for a live drummer for your own project, I strongly recommend you check out this guy's site. His ability to 'slot in' with what you are trying to do is uncanny. Nothing short of brilliant. He can do what it says on the tin. Everytime!

[Tiggi]

Interesting insight into your process, Jerome.

I think, once again, that we are in accord, although my opinion is purely philosophical since I have no record of music-making, and yours is rooted in practical experience. I did once attempt to "write" a song at the age of about 9, with some school friends. It was called "The Cops Are Coming" ...