CMask is an application that produces score files for Csound, i.e. lists of notes or rather events. Its main application is the generation of events to create a texture or granular sounds. The program takes a parameter file as input and makes a score file that can be used immediately with Csound.The basic concept in CMask is the tendency mask. This is an area that is limited by 2 time variant boundaries. These area describes a space of possible values for a score parameter, for example amplitude, pitch, pan, duration etc. For every parameter of an event (a note statement pfield in Csound) a random value will be selected from the range that is valid at this time (see [a], [c], [d], [4], [5], [7]). There are also other means in CMask for the parameter generation, for example cyclic lists, oscillators, polygons and random walks. Each parameter of an event can be generated by a different method. A set of notes / events generated by a set of methods lasting for a certain time span is called a field.
See also a HTML doc on some stochastic principles used in CMask: cmask-article.html
CMask was written in the Metrowerks CodeWarrier environment in C++.
CMask is freeware.
Program (MacPPC, WIN, IRIX), documentations and examples are available through ftp: download page.
[1] Ames, Ch. 1991. "A Catalog of Statistical
Distributions..." Leonardo Music Journal 1(1)
[2] Dodge, Ch. / Jerse, Th. A. 1985. Computer Music Collier
Macmillan, London
[3] Lorrain, D. 1980. "A Panoply of Stochastic 'Cannons'."
Computer Music Journal 4(1)
[4] Roads, C. 1991. "Asynchronous Granular Synthesis." in
Representations of Musical Signals, MIT Press
[5] Roads, C. 1985. "Granular Synthesis of Sounds." in
Foundations of Computer Music, MIT Press
[6] Truax, B. 1988. "Real-time Granular Synthesis with a Digital
Sound Processor." Computer Music Journal 12(2)
[7] Wishart, T. 1994. Audible Design Orpheus the Pantomime
[8] Xenakis, I. 1992. Formalized Music Pendragon Press
[a] Castine, P. Litter Package (Externals for MAX)
[b] Koenig, G.M. Project I, Project II
[c] Truax, B. POD programs
[d] Xenakis, I. Stochastic Music Program
July 1997, Andre Bartetzki @ STEAM, HfM Berlin