TidalCycles (also known as "Tidal") is a
live coding environment designed for musical improvisation and composition. In particular, it is a
domain-specific language embedded in
Haskell, focused on the generation and manipulation of audible or visual patterns.
It was originally designed for heavily percussive, polyrhythmic grid-based music, but now uses a flexible, functional reactive representation for patterns, using rational time. Tidal may therefore be applied to a wide range of musical styles, although its cyclic approach to time means that it affords use in repetitive styles such as
Algorave
An algorave (from an algorithm and rave) is an event where people dance to music generated from algorithms, often using live coding techniques. Alex McLean of Slub and Nick Collins coined the word "algorave" in 2011, and the first event unde ...
.
Background
TidalCycles was created by
Alex McLean who also coined the term
Algorave
An algorave (from an algorithm and rave) is an event where people dance to music generated from algorithms, often using live coding techniques. Alex McLean of Slub and Nick Collins coined the word "algorave" in 2011, and the first event unde ...
.
TidalCycles is a
domain-specific language embedded in
Haskell, focused on the generation and manipulation of audible or visual patterns.
Tidal's representation of rhythm is based on metrical cycles, inspired by Indian classical music, supporting polyrhythmic and polymetric structures using a flexible, functional reactive representation for patterns, and rational time. Tidal does not produce sound itself, but via the
SuperCollider
A particle accelerator is a machine that uses electromagnetic fields to propel charged particles to very high speeds and energies, and to contain them in well-defined beams.
Large accelerators are used for fundamental research in particle ...
sound environment through the SuperDirt framework, or via
MIDI
MIDI (; Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a technical standard that describes a communications protocol, digital interface, and electrical connectors that connect a wide variety of electronic musical instruments, computers, an ...
or
Open Sound Control.
Tidal is also used widely in academic research, including as a representation in music AI, as a language in network music, and in electronic literature.
Tidal is widely used at Algorave algorithmic dance music events, as well as being used on high profile music releases.
It has been featured on
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It replaced the BBC Third Programme in 1967 and broadcasts classical music and opera, with jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also featuring. The st ...
's New Music Show.
Artists using TidalCycles
*
Richard Devine
*
Beatrice Dillon
* Lil Data
* Lizzie Wilson (aka Digital Selves)
*MIRI KAT
*Daniel M Karlsson
*
65daysofstatic
*
Benjamin Wynn
References
External links
Tidalcycles repositories
Digital art
Computer programming
Live coding
Algorave
Functional programming
Music technology
2009 establishments
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