ImaginationTOOLS™: Made to play music

Abstract

In this paper we present ImaginationTOOLS™ a new musical software useful to generate, analyze and synthesize sounds using mathematical models based on the Dynamical Systems and the Theory of the Chaos. The system allows to build and explore acoustical and musical concepts in a manipulatory way, creating network of object called TOOLS which behave as intelligent agents of different kinds (input, output, processes). By joining a specific agent with other agents, the user builds emergent acoustical/musical 3D graphs, both in synchronous and in asynchronous ways. This process of building musical compositions in a 3D environment in real time embodies the manipulation of objects and gives to the user the possibility to create, by using a process of auditory feed-back, aesthetical choices which well adapt with his/her musical ideas, so reducing the complexity of music composition. We think that the innovative characteristics of the software can really facilitate and improve the musical learning. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.