Forming a composite network using a computer

The program has been entirely realized with Xavier Rodet's and Pierre Cointe's FORMES system which runs on IRCAMs VAX 11/780 computer. The version of CHANT includes the Formant Wave Functions synthesis technique as well as a bank of time-varying filters. I shaped in my mind some primary models for musical situations. Starting from these models, I intended to control various musical parameters, without forgetting their particular features. I have been interested since a long time in the idea of musical interpolation and processes. Within one sound, a simple interpolation can be made between two values, or between the circular matrix where each value, when repeated, has changed, and thus continually changes the total character of the pattern. My object is to produce a multilevel network of continually changing but controlled items. Another interesting aspect - the same rhythmic process, since these two instruments, because of their different natures, give emphasis to different aspects of a given model. For example an even ostinato of five notes changes into an ostinato of seven notes in such a way that two notes are simply divided into two. I wanted to adapt it next to the control of dynamics. One of my objectives concerning timbre is to produce a precise timbre change on each tone. This kind of pointil-listic texture can then be combined with interpolations of greater line occuring within other timbre factors or other parameters. I created sounds where various timbre elements advance independently when two different times are used within the same sound. For me, the pitch organization is at present one of the most complicated themes in computer music composition, simply because the possibilities are endless and a very open, creative attitude is needed to explore them.

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