New Ways to Create Music

With digital samplers and synthesizers, we were able for the first time in human history to create sounds that had the complexity of acoustic sounds, but that did not originate from purely acoustic instruments.  For example, we could start with piano samples and modify them with a variety of digital synthesis techniques to create sounds that had the richness of the piano, but were impossible with acoustic means alone.

In recent years, we've seen the emergence of software-based samplers, synthesizers, mixers, and sound processors.  Although there still are significant performance benefits in using hardware DSP-based devices, software-based systems such as Reason are adequate to create professional recordings, such as movie soundtracks.

We are also moving towards an era of intelligent accompanists.  We've had for many years "autoplay" features on home pianos for beginning students, but these are largely unsatisfactory because they require the human player to keep up with the automated players.  What is needed in an intelligent accompanist is a system that follows the user, not the other way around.  With such a system, a student could be playing a simple one-line melody, and the system would fill in with appropriate walking bass lines, rhythmic patterns, and harmonic progressions.

Tod Machover has developed a series of interactive instruments that he calls hyperinstruments. They effectively provide the serious musician with intelligent accompanists.  Although the human player stays in control, a single player can match the richness and intricacy of an entire ensemble.