Fathered by Iannis Xenakis, stochastic music is a a granular synthesis application that is related to randomization and variable manipulation. The term 'stochastic' can be defined as:
random; specifically : involving a random variable
involving chance or probability : probabilistic <astochastic model of radiation-induced mutation>
Wikipedia references the term as "mathematical processes based on probability can generate stochastic elements". The emphasis on randomizing musical components often ties Stochasticism with artists such as Merce Cunningham and composer John Cage, innovators of chance operation and atonal music. The importance of mathematical formulas in stochasticism differentiates it from 'Serialism' and 'Indeterminancy'. Due to the arduous nature of implementing the equations needed for stochastic music, composers often turn to computerized methods. "Stochastic music is sometimes referred to as a compositional technique, sometimes as a genre", and as aforementioned, it can be confused with Indeterminancy or Serialism for this reason. Overall, it's important to note that the final product may not be indicative of the effort put into it. Whereas the process to create stochastic music is very calculated, it may come off as atonal and unrelated to an audience member.
Examples:
Terms:
OSC (Open Sound Control) :
"content format for messaging among computers, sound synthesizers, and other multimedia devices that are optimized for modern networking technologyOSC is a content format developed at CNMAT by Adrian Freed and Matt Wright comparable to XML, WDDX, or JSON. It was originally intended for sharing music performance data (gestures, parameters and note sequences) between musical instruments (especiallyelectronic musical instruments such as synthesizers), computers, and other multimedia devices."
Noise Music:
"class of music that consists of multiple discrete genres of soundcomposition that tend to disturb the categories of both noise and music.It can feature acoustically or electronically generated noise, and both traditional and unconventional musical instruments. It may incorporate live machine sounds, non-musical vocal techniques, physically manipulated audio media, processed sound recordings, field recording, computer generated noise, stochastic process and other randomly produced electronic signals such as distortion, feedback, static, hiss and hum. Contemporary noise music is often associated with extreme volume and distortion." MIDI:
"( Musical Instrument Digital Interface) a technical standard that describes a protocol, digital interface and connectors and allows a wide variety of electronic musical instruments, computers and other related devices to connect and communicate with one another." MIDI is a sequencer and messenger, not sound itself.
Mellotron:
Inspired by the Chamberlin, the mellotron is an English-created "electro-mechanical, polyphonic tape replay keyboard". The instrument functions based on a series of magnetic tapes interacting with heads based on the keys used by the musician. It was mass produced easily and the Beatles' use of the Mellotron helped bring this device into further popularity in the 1970s. Conceived in 1963, this keyboard was widespread until 1986 when other, more advanced, systems quickly replaced it.
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