In this presentation we will demonstrate three interactive technologies that we are developing at the IBM Computer Music Center: Music Sketcher, Sonnet , and Imager.

Music Sketcher is a research prototype for composing music. It is unique in that it demonstrates technologies which can be used to help users with little or no formal musical background to compose original music. Professional musicians may find new and powerful tools for shaping the music and adding expressive nuance. Music Sketcher is based on several new technologies: Blocks & Modifiers, and Smart Harmony. Blocks represent phrases of music rather than individual notes. Modifiers help shape, transform, or add expressive detail. Smart Harmony provides a framework for manipulating pitches within a context of tonal music. In combination, these technologies provide a variety of musical transformations affording a wide range of creativity. Music Sketcher is implemented for the Windows 95/98/NT environment. It can be downloaded for free from Alphaworks.

Sonnet is both a visual programming language and a rapid application development environment for real-time and distributed programs. Sonnet is fully object-oriented, and can thus be easily extended with new primitive data types and primitive operations. Sonnet is also highly modular, and allows the use of multiple GUI's, or alternative scheduling and semantic "policy modules". Sonnet is language-neutral, so that extensions can be written in C/C++, Pascal, or Smalltalk.

Imager is an instrument for playing graphics as musicians play sounds. Its design relies on ideas from abstract artists and film-makers to define spaces for manipulating color, form and movement. It is designed for use in both composition and improvisation, allowing for the integration of a highly expressive visual experience into a musical performance. Information is available on the Imager website.

Presenters:
Daniel Oppeinheim
Steve Abrams
Fred Collopy
Steve Fuhrer
David Jameson
Don Pazel
Jim Wright

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