Random Phase Music Generator
Version 2.0 README
Copyright (C) 1997-2001 by Tak-Shing Chan
DOWNLOAD
The Random Phase Music Generator is available for download
from http://phase.sourceforge.net/ .
DESCRIPTION
This is a small program that generates random phase music.
Random music has been around for a long time (from Mozart's
musical dice game to John Cage's chance music), but phase
music was invented rather recently by Steve Reich. It would
be interesting to combine those ideas, so I have written
this program as a tool for further experiments.
REQUIREMENTS
You need X version 11 and Motif 1.2 (or compatible). In
addition, if you want audio playback, a MIDI file player for
your platform is needed.
FILES
README
Imakefile
Makefile.man
phase.c
HOW TO INSTALL
Type ``xmkmf'' and then ``make'' to compile the program.
LessTif users, replace ``xmkmf'' with ``mxmkmf''.
MANUAL INSTALLATION
If your xmkmf is broken, you have to install manually. Edit
Makefile.man (examples for Solaris, AIX and LessTif are
given). Make sure INCS and LIBS are pointing to the correct
directories, then type ``make -f Makefile.man'' to compile.
RUNNING
Run ``phase'' from an X terminal. Some users might need to
point LD_LIBRARY_PATH to the Motif libraries. After
starting up the program, you can use the File menu to load
or save the panel settings, and the Music menu to play the
generated phase music or save it to a MIDI file.
PANEL SETTINGS
Seed
The seed value for the random number generator.
Parts
The number of tracks used in the phasing process.
Beats Per Minute, Scale
The tempo and scale for the music.
Phase Function
The phase function, represented graphically. Use the
left button to draw the function and the right button
to reset it back to the default linear function.
Pattern Length
The length of the repeating pattern.
Humanize Touch, Random Staccato
The amount of random irregularities added into the note
velocities and durations. These settings are not
related to the phasing process, but they make the music
sounds more human.
Total Duration
The total number of notes in the generated music.
ABOUT PHASE MUSIC
Steve Reich pioneered the idea of phase music in his early
tape pieces ``It's Gonna Rain'' (1965) and ``Come Out''
(1966). He then applied his technique to live performances
in his ``Piano Phase'' (1967) and ``Violin Phase'' (1967).
Phasing is the process of looping the same pattern of music
on two or more tape recorders (running at slightly different
speeds), so they will slowly shift out of synchronization
and produce the ``out of phase'' effect. Play with this
program to experiment with this technique!
REFERENCES
Reich, Steve. ``Piano Phase.'' London: Universal Edition,
1980.
------. ``Violin Phase.'' London: Universal Edition, 1979.
------. ``Early Works.'' Double Edge, Russ Hartenberger,
Steve Reich. Elektra Nonesuch 79169.
------. ``Octet/Music for a Large Ensemble/Violin Phase.''
Steve Reich and Musicians. ECM 1168.
------. ``Writings About Music.'' New York: New York
University Press, 1974.
TIPS
The Open Sound System allows you to use your sound card with
many UNIX systems. TiMidity is another option.
REVISION HISTORY
Version 2.0 (01/07/25)
Moved to SourceForge.
Version 1.3 (01/01/29)
Converted to GPL.
Version 1.2 (99/04/29)
Added graphical phase function feature. Imakefile is
included.
Version 1.1 (98/12/08)
Bug fixes (memory leaks and unchecked array bounds).
Added accelerator keys and ``Play Music...'' feature.
Version 1.0 (98/10/09)
Initial version.