Could any term sound less likely to describe the artistic and creative process of song writing? Algorithmic composition can be described as using computers and software routines (algorithms) to generate all or part of a musical composition. Blue Ribbon SoundWorks software takes advantage of this power and gives everyone the chance to create musical masterpieces. Each of their software titles allows the user to make many of the decisions a composer makes when writing a song, by describing -- in plain English -- how it should sound. No technical or musical knowledge is required.
Since its adoption in 1983, the MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) standard has changed the way professional musicians create, record and perform their music. In fact, much of the music you hear on the radio, on television, at the movies or even at live concerts has been created using MIDI technology at some step along the way. Throughout the 1980s, MIDI technology filtered down to serious amateur musicians, hobbyists and students, giving them the opportunity to create compositions and record performances using the sounds of entire symphony orchestras or rock bands without ever plugging in a guitar, turning up the amplifier to 11 or tuning a violin.
Now the music technology trickle down effect has reached the rest of us shower singers, MTV couch potatoes and CD collectors. Personal computers with MIDI soundcards are now the norm for home computing, eliminating the musical instrument hardware barrier. PC interfaces and compositional algorithms for music software have improved to the point where you can now make music that sounds very good, while experiencing the feeling of active participation in the creative process.
