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Been wanting to do live coding for ages now, but the problem I always run into is that the languages/environments are either really verbose (you know the one I

Been wanting to do live coding for ages now, but the problem I always run into is that the languages/environments are either really verbose (you know the one I mean), or don't offer much in the way of sound design (they often sound great, but they're not my sounds), and I'd rather avoid samples. Glicol though looks like it could be really interesting, maybe even "the one"! Currently I use Renoise, but mostly just use single cycle waveforms to try to force some synthesis capabilities into the sampler (I'm alright with "generic" samples for percussion providing theres a decent variety). Its really nice, but it often feels like I'm using the wrong tool for what I want, so Im hoping live coding could be the answer.

chaosprint 4y ago
Wondering whether you have tried TidalCycles? I am also experimenting with the concept to use `pattern' as audio signal: https://glicol-tidal.netlify.app https://glicol-tidal.netlify.app In this process, I do feel a difference between using samples and pure synthesis. I think one reason that samples are widely used in live coding is because we need to balance between the prototyping time and the music complexity. But I do agree with you that live coding should think more for the audio synthesis part rather than simply mapping a language to an existing audio engine. I think your interest on wavetable synthesis is really interesting to me. That's somewhere I should explore more in developing Glicol.
- bodge5000 4y ago
  I have looked into Tidal a few times, but each time something has put me off. I can't remember what it was exactly (probably a good reason to try again). Maybe its because it uses Supercollider as a backend. Nothing wrong with supercollider, but its the verbose one I was referring to, but also because if I'm having to use something external with supercollider anyway I'd probably go with Foxdot instead. I can totally understand the practicalities of samples, afterall a sample can reproduce any sound of any synthesizer ever, but for me it just makes things less fun and more of a chore (eg file management). Add to that the comparitive lack of modulation capabilities and the difficulties you can have with long sustain notes, I'd just have something more limited but "all in one" if you know what I mean. Wavetable synthesis is really interesting, but I think you're overestimating my abilities lol. I don't actually do wavetable synthesis (to my knowledge its not possible to in renoise, or at least its not a native function). Its more like building a fake subtractive synth using a single cycle waveform as the oscillator. It works alright for what I need to do with it, but it does mean Im somewhat lacking on modulation.
  - chaosprint 4y ago
    Yes, you can try Tidal in browsers as TidalStrudel now: https://strudel.tidalcycles.org https://strudel.tidalcycles.org

chaosprint 4y ago

Wondering whether you have tried TidalCycles? I am also experimenting with the concept to use `pattern' as audio signal: https://glicol-tidal.netlify.app https://glicol-tidal.netlify.app In this process, I do feel a difference between using samples and pure synthesis. I think one reason that samples are widely used in live coding is because we need to balance between the prototyping time and the music complexity. But I do agree with you that live coding should think more for the audio synthesis part rather than simply mapping a language to an existing audio engine. I think your interest on wavetable synthesis is really interesting to me. That's somewhere I should explore more in developing Glicol.

bodge5000 4y ago
I have looked into Tidal a few times, but each time something has put me off. I can't remember what it was exactly (probably a good reason to try again). Maybe its because it uses Supercollider as a backend. Nothing wrong with supercollider, but its the verbose one I was referring to, but also because if I'm having to use something external with supercollider anyway I'd probably go with Foxdot instead. I can totally understand the practicalities of samples, afterall a sample can reproduce any sound of any synthesizer ever, but for me it just makes things less fun and more of a chore (eg file management). Add to that the comparitive lack of modulation capabilities and the difficulties you can have with long sustain notes, I'd just have something more limited but "all in one" if you know what I mean. Wavetable synthesis is really interesting, but I think you're overestimating my abilities lol. I don't actually do wavetable synthesis (to my knowledge its not possible to in renoise, or at least its not a native function). Its more like building a fake subtractive synth using a single cycle waveform as the oscillator. It works alright for what I need to do with it, but it does mean Im somewhat lacking on modulation.
- chaosprint 4y ago
  Yes, you can try Tidal in browsers as TidalStrudel now: https://strudel.tidalcycles.org https://strudel.tidalcycles.org