Optimizing Future Perfect: A Model for Composition with Genetic Algorithms

This paper describes the development of OM-Darwin, a generalized system for composing with genetic algorithms (GA), realized as a library for OpenMusic. It provides a simple GA engine, along with sophisticated devices for genotype encoding, phenotype mapping and modular fitness function design, whil...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Holbrook, Geoffrey John
Language:English
Published: 2015
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.7916/D8JD4W80
Description
Summary:This paper describes the development of OM-Darwin, a generalized system for composing with genetic algorithms (GA), realized as a library for OpenMusic. It provides a simple GA engine, along with sophisticated devices for genotype encoding, phenotype mapping and modular fitness function design, while offering a collection of objects that represent common musical forms and rules. A comparison with other optimization methods reveals some advantages in the GA approach, in particular the capability of defining frequency-based rules and producing partial solutions to difficult musical problems. Reference is made to the author's Future Perfect (2010) for 13 instruments, composed entirely using OM-Darwin.