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Swarm Theory Applied to Music

Posted by timothy on from the fire-ants dept.

JoeCotellese writes "There is an article in Discover magazine about computer scientist/musician Tim Blackwell and his Swarm Music software. This software creates improvisational music based on models of swarming and flocking. The observation was made that interaction among musicians is interdependent and yet independent and this dynamic parallels flock dynamics. Computer generated music has been around for a while but according to his web site, this project was the first application of swarm theory to music. Sample MP3s are available on his website."

3 of 26 comments (clear)

  1. but is it music? by Spudley · · Score: 2, Funny

    Good grief. That was the strangest set of sounds I've heard a computer make since I tried playing around with the POKE command too close to the C64s audio addresses.

    --
    (Spudley Strikes Again!)
  2. No one has mentioned.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    No one has mentioned "Flight of the Bumblebee" yet? Precedent has been established in the union of swarm and music.

  3. Sounds like... by no_opinion · · Score: 2, Funny

    I listened to the audio and found the music to be loosely structured with a unique interpretation of rhythm and an interesting take on the importance of melody and harmony. In other words, IT SOUNDS LIKE CRAP!!!