Granular synthesis composition with StochGran and Max

An approach to composition and the granular synthesis techniques used to create several works will be discussed here. Three instruments for stochastic granular synthesis have been written in the Cmix programming language. The contents of the grains are either synthesized waveforms, or sampled sound files. A NeXT graphical interface to the Cmix instruments, StochGran, currently allows the composer to manipulate graphical envelopes to control grain timing, frequency, and location parameters over time. Control over several parameters in a coordinated relationship is facilitated by the graphical display. The use of the Cmix instruments and interface in composing several works for tape is described. Real time granular synthesis is also explored using the MAX language on the IRCAM Signal Processing Workstation. The work “Evolutions,” for eight instruments and computer, uses a combination of Cmix and MAX signal processing. The consequences of these techniques for composition and performance involve differences in composition for and perception of the computer and acoustic parts, the interaction between the computer and instruments, “musicality,” timbral shaping into gestures, and philosophical implications of the techniques.