STOCHOS

“Stochos” is a program that gives the composer access to the vast discontinuum – continuum of sound described by Julio Estrada, a multi dimensional spatial temporal discontinuum – continuum that goes from granulated micro-sound to continuous macro-sound. G.Pape

download Stochos (free)

While Stochos is by no means the first or only program to propose algorithmic, stochastic and micro-sonic methods, perhaps, its originality lies in the synthesis that makes of all these methods so that the user can generate events algorithmically while granulating his sounds stochastically and at the same time varying the other parameters of sound, such as pitch or intensity continuously in as deterministic or aleatory a way as he sees fit.

The departure point of the application is the Achorripsis model of Xenakis, which is based on his methodology of introducing statistical mathematics for compositional purposes. Beginning with Metastasis[1953-1954], Xenakis has used the statistical distributions and introduced first time the concepts of controlling disorder – order statistically in the domain of musical composition. Since his model was originally created for composing with orchestral instruments, the aim to program Stochos was first of all, experimenting with these ideas to create new sound capabilities in real time on a computer platform.

As granular synthesis tool Stochos has important features for the organization of the sonic entities in comparison to other existing tools. Both Stochos and other granular programs allow one to “time compress” and “time stretch” events and to work on a micro-sound level of time. “Stochos”, by adding the use of continuously redrawn curves, combines the level of algorithmic event generation with granular sound synthesis micro- control.

Stochos distributes sonic events in consecutive time cells, independently to each other with stochastic functions. For each event, independent line segments are assigned as modulation sources. Again they are constructed with stochastic functions “Xenakian way” by creating controlled random continuous glissandi. The modulation destinations for them are set on a control matrix. On the rows of this control matrix, one can see various modulation destinations like pitch, waveamp, panning etc.

“Stochos” is not just as a sound transformational / sound synthesis tool, in effect, it treats sound as a multi dimensional topological object

Stochos is an enhanced sonic event generator, a super oscillator. The essential philosophy in such an application aims to provide a generative rule for micro-sound synthesis providing a rich data flux reaching a certain complexity. The abilities of the application let us consider it in terms of the algorithmic composition by proposing a formal structure and also timbre composition delivering the sound material. Since its introduction in 2002, Stochos has captured great interest among academical, experimental and other electronic music genres.

- STOCHOS is currently not under development -