statics: a C++ implementation of functional iteration synthesis

Abstract

statics is a non-standard sound synthesis program that uses functional iteration to both generate sound events and organise them temporally. This paper gives a brief history on the use of functional iteration in music composition and then describes how it is implemented in statics. Also discussed is the conception of program design as compositional process. Since statics was designed by a composer with musical goals in mind, the program is itself is a collection of compositional decisions. Furthermore, the unique timbres and structures created by statics are a direct result of these decisions. Accordingly, I discuss my compositional process in two stages: those choices that are embedded into the program (general decisions) and those choices that occurred post-design (specific decisions). Using as examples the three individual compositions created with statics (congruent, convergence and cyclian), I delineate the effects of both types of decision on the compositional process and then describe how these three compositions embody different characteristics of my implementation of functional iteration.