Composition and Sound Production with SuperCollider

Komposition, Lydproduktion, SuperCollider, Musikprogrammering, Lydprogrammering

In this book, Anders Eskildsen introduces music and sound programming as a tool for composition and sound production at a basic level. His aim is for students to learn how to use programming as a creative tool for composing and producing sound—regardless of prior experience with programming. Everyone can learn to code at a basic level, and with music as our playground, it’s a joy!

In the field of computer music, programming is the primary working tool for some musicians and composers. However, others can also benefit from exploring music and sound programming, as it opens up unique possibilities in sound design and compositional processes that are not (or only with great difficulty) accessible through more traditional instruments and tools. In addition to basic techniques in music and sound programming, the book introduces musical topics within algorithmic composition and digital sound synthesis, such as minimalist composition and beat production, as well as additive, subtractive, and granular synthesis.

The technical platform is SuperCollider, a powerful tool for music and sound programming. It is also free and open source.

This book was developed as supplementary material for Anders Eskildsen’s teaching in music and sound programming at the music programme at Aalborg University. Through his teaching, he discovered a lack of introductory material in Danish on the subject. While there are several excellent introductions to SuperCollider in English (Fieldsteel, 2024a, 2024b; Magnusson, 2021; Ruviaro, 2015), it can be overwhelming to acquire new knowledge in the field of computer music—filled with technical jargon—while simultaneously learning to read and write a new (programming) language, all in English. He therefore hopes that this book, aimed at beginners and written in Danish, can lower the barrier to entry for students and other curious minds interested in composition and sound production through programming tools.

By studying this book, completing the exercises, producing sound, and composing in ways you never imagined possible, you will gain a solid foundation for continuing your work with composition and sound production in SuperCollider.

Fortunately, there is much more to explore, and a new world of possibilities will gradually unfold before you. At the end of the book, Anders Eskildsen points to resources for further study.

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