Generative Music with the Muse
9 days ago
- #algorithmic composition
- #electronic music
- #vintage technology
- The Computer History Museum features recognizable exhibits like the Altair 8800 and Apple I, evoking a sense of human ingenuity.
- The Triadex Muse, developed in 1969 by Edward Fredkin and Marvin Minsky, is a rare and significant piece of electronic music history.
- With only 280-300 units produced, the Muse was the first algorithm-based sequencer/synthesizer for home consumers.
- The Muse's design is simple, lacking memory, CPU, or firmware, relying solely on integrated circuits and electricity.
- Its interface consists of sliders and switches, offering a unique and unpredictable musical experience.
- The Muse uses binary arithmetic to generate music, with intervals determined by weighted four-digit binary numbers.
- The B region introduces pseudo-random chaos, making the Muse more than just a repetitive sequencer.
- The Muse's influence persists in algorithmic composition, despite being a dead-end in electronic music history.
- Marvin Minsky's philosophy on music composition is hardwired into the Muse, ensuring its output remains musical despite its unpredictability.