Which one to use : CM, Nyquist, Cecilia, Meloncillo, SC ???

[amundsen]

Hello,

I've been using MaxMSP for a very long time but I am looking for a non-real time composition tool to investigate stochastic processes.

I want to go non-real-time because I want a high sampling rate (192kHz or 384 kHz) and I want to be able to produce many many sounds altogether (this is what stochastic processes are about, aren't they?). I also want to override MIDI pitch scale and be able to use microtones.

I want something with which I can both create algorithmic processes and drive the processes with drawn curves.

Of course MaxMSP has a non real-time mode but it's almost useless because it demands a very specific way of programming (only signals, no events).

A two-software solution would be OK (for instance one program writes the "score" and the second one reads it).

What would you recommend?

Thank you in advance.

[dewdrop_world]

I haven't worked with the others so I can't compare, but I can say supercollider would be ace for all of this.

The synth engine is designed to handle large numbers of concurrent "nodes" based on UGen graph templates called SynthDefs. Once the def is loaded, invoking it thousands of times is relatively cheap.

For non-real-time, you could use Josh Parmenter's Ctk extension (a nice bridge between RT and NRT), or -- my preferred way of working -- use patterns.

"Drawn curves" -- I can think of a few ways to do this. I'd need to know more about what you have in mind to make concrete suggestions.

Have a look at SC -- I don't think you'll be disappointed.

James

[amundsen]

SuperCollider seems indeed interesting (I have worked with version 1 a long time ago) but the GUI is one of my concerns.

"Drawn curves": I mean something like timelines to edit curves to control the patch (or ensemble? - I do not remember SC's terminology).

Also, what about its mathematical functions (useful for stochastic work) ?

[amundsen]

Something else:

Is there a kind of sampled-instrument (such as DLS or SoundFonts) player in SC?

[dewdrop_world]