Architectures for processing gestural content in musical performance

With the emergence of new and sophisticated control devices, like data gloves and data suits, there is an increasing need to integrate gestural expression into the musical composition and performance environment. In such an environment, emotions can be expressed through sensors and combined with musical software. State-of-the-art sound and music generation systems, like MAX/FTS, MIDAS, PD/GEM and Supercollider, can be used for such an environment. The issues and related demands, like visualisation and scripting, addressed by these software packages are complex and resource-intensive. The underlying software architectures have to deal with multitasking, parallel processing, real-time operation, etc. This paper evaluates architectures of known software and hardware systems with respect to their ability to integrate gestural control algorithms and devices into a sound and music generation environment