TidalCycles explained

TidalCycles
Logo Size:250px
Developer:Alex McLean, others
Latest Release Version:1.9.5
Repo:https://github.com/tidalcycles/
Programming Language:Haskell
Operating System:Linux, macOS, Windows
Genre:Live coding environment, algorave
License:GPLv3

TidalCycles (also known as Tidal) is a live coding environment which is designed for improvising and composing music. Technically, it is a domain-specific language embedded in the functional programming language Haskell, and is focused on the generating and manipulating audiovisual patterns.[1] [2] [3] It was originally designed for heavily percussive and polyrhythmic grid-based music, but it now uses a flexible and functional reactive representation for patterns, by using rational time.[4] Therefore, Tidal may be applied to a wide range of musical styles, although its cyclic approach to time means that it affords use in repetitive styles such as algorave.[5]

Background

TidalCycles was created by Alex McLean who also coined the term algorave,[6] and is a domain-specific language embedded in Haskell, which focuses on generating and manipulating audiovisual patterns. Tidal's representation of rhythm is based on metrical cycles,[7] which is inspired by Indian classical music,[8] supporting polyrhythmic and polymetric structures using a flexible, functional reactive representation for patterns, and rational time. This programme doesn't produce sound itself, but via the SuperCollider sound environment through the SuperDirt framework, via MIDI, or Open Sound Control.

Tidal is also used widely in academic research, including representation in music AI,[9] [10] as a language in network music,[11] and in electronic literature.[12]

Tidal is widely used at algorave algorithmic dance music events,[13] [14] and on high profile music releases.[15] [16] [17] It has been featured on BBC Radio 3's New Music Show.[18]

Artists using it

Notes and References

  1. Web site: McLean . Alex . Alex McLean . Tidal – Pattern Language for Live Coding of Music . Sound and Music Computing . 22 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171015145948/http://smcnetwork.org/node/1371 . 2017-10-15.
  2. News: Bick . Emily . March 2016 . Pattern Recognition . The Wire . 385 . 16–17.
  3. Web site: TidalCycles, free live coding environment for music, turns 1.0. 2018-12-18. CDM Create Digital Music. en-US. 2018-12-27.
  4. Book: McLean . Alex . Alex McLean . 2014 . Making programming languages to dance to . Proceedings of the 2nd ACM SIGPLAN international workshop on Functional art, music, modeling & design . FARM '14 . ACM . New York, New York, USA . 978-1-4503-3039-8 . 63–70 . 10.1145/2633638.2633647 . 1190832.
  5. Web site: Grooving to Algo'rhythms'. Mollan. Cherylann. 2019-02-10. The Asian Age. 2019-03-01.
  6. Web site: 2019-03-05. Opposing forces: Rian Treanor explains how he creates intense yet subtle club music. 2022-01-20. Mixmag.
  7. Web site: Sinow. Catherine. 2020-09-26. Deep Algebra for Deep Beats: The Beautiful Sounds of Musical Programming. 2022-01-19. Ars Technica. en-us.
  8. Web site: Type and jive. 2022-01-19. The Week. en.
  9. Stewart. Jeremy. Lawson. Shawn. Hodnick. Mike. Gold. Ben. 2020-02-05. Cibo v2: Realtime Livecoding A.I. Agent. Limerick, Ireland . Proceedings of the 2020 International Conference on Live Coding . 10.5281/zenodo.3939174.
  10. Book: Miranda. Eduardo Reck. Handbook of Artificial Intelligence for Music: Foundations, Advanced Approaches, and Developments for Creativity. 2021-07-02. Springer Nature. 978-3-030-72116-9. en.
  11. Ogborn . David . Beverley . Jamie . Navarro . Luis del Angel . Tsabary . Eldad . McLean . Alex . Alex McLean . 2017 . Estuary: Browser-based Collaborative Projectional Live Coding of Musical Patterns . International Conference on Live Coding . January 23, 2022 . 195836605.
  12. Rodriguez . Jessica . Franco . Alejandro . MacLean . Alexander . McLean . Alex . Alex McLean . Navarro . Luis . Ogborn . David . 2020-07-16 . Electronic Literature Live Coding Jam/Workshop . Electronic Literature Organization Conference 2020.
  13. Web site: Mollan. Cherylann. 2019-02-10. Grooving to Algo'rhythms'. 2019-03-01. The Asian Age.
  14. Calore. Michael. DJs of the Future Don't Spin Records—They Write Code. en-US. Wired. 2022-01-19. 1059-1028.
  15. Web site: Crilly. Lyle. 2020-11-10. Richard Devine: A Systic Approach to Acid. 2022-01-19. Roland Articles. en-US.
  16. News: Mullen . Mullen . 26 February 2020 . Impossible Forms: Beatrice Dilon . Inverted Audio.
  17. Web site: 2019-02-08. PC Music's Lil Data to release anthology of live-coded tracks. 2022-01-19. Fact Magazine. en-US.
  18. Web site: 2020-02-02. New Music Show. 2022-01-21. BBC Media Centre. en-GB.
  19. Web site: Sonic Futures: How Technology is Guiding Electronic Music. 2022-01-20. FACT Magazine: Transmissions from the underground. 22 October 2019 . en.
  20. Web site: 2020-06-09. Artist DIY: Digital Selves. 2022-01-20. Fact Magazine. en-US.
  21. Web site: Meet the female coders pushing electronic music into the future. 2022-01-20. Mixmag.
  22. Web site: 2018-01-25. Meet the Artists Using Coding, AI, and Machine Language to Make Music. 2022-01-20. Bandcamp Daily.
  23. Web site: 2017-03-30. Watch the first exclusive live performance of No Man's Sky's soundtrack. 2022-01-20. PlayStation.Blog. en-US.
  24. Web site: Deru – Sound and Atmospheres. 2022-01-20. www.steinberg.net. en.
  25. Web site: Hsien-Yu Cheng & Tzu-Ni Hung / Abyss Zone. 2023-06-26. submarine.gallery. zh-TW.

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