Use of Audio descriptors for music composition and orchestration
Presenter: Ivan Simurra
Within the research line in Creative Processes focused on music composition and computer-aided orchestration, this work describes an investigation into the instrumental combination process using a computing environment using audio descriptors in PureData (PD) and the PDescriptors library to analyze the sound characteristics of a database of audio files with various musical instruments and extended techniques.
The research relies mainly on three fundamental aspects: a) the study of audio descriptors as an analysis tool for computer-assisted musical orchestration; b) the analysis of works and procedures developed by composers who served as reference for the development of writing models; c) the creation of compositional studies, in which the orchestration hypotheses will be tested. From the study of audio descriptors as an analytical tool, item a, the next step focused on the generation of a universe of instrumental combinations described by their sonic characteristics. This procedure helps the decision making related to the orchestration and expanded techniques. Regarding item b, we used the audio descriptors to analyze the sound characteristics of the following works: the First Movement of the "Quattro Pezzi per Orchestra" by Giacinto Scelsi; three solo pieces "Guero", "Pression" and "Dal Niente - Interieur III", by Helmut Lachenmann; and "Reflections" by Jônatas Manzolli. As concerns the item c, we present a portfolio whose orchestral compositional planning was based on the dialogue between the results obtained from studies of audio descriptors with the analysis of the works of reference composers.
It is expected that the whole process of research reported here will contribute to developing knowledge in the field of computer-assisted musical orchestration, establishing a more refined blend of sound diversity as a method of combination of musical instruments and extended techniques.
When: December 2nd, 2015
Where: CCSL Auditorium, IME/USP