This presentation introduces bellplay~, an open-source software and framework for offline algorithmic audio, developed in Max/MSP within the bach ecosystem. bellplay~ allows users to manipulate audio using scripts written in the bell programming language, offering a highly flexible, data-driven approach to algorithmic sound design. By leveraging bellplay~, composers and sound designers can implement customizable algorithms for audio synthesis, processing, and analysis.
The lecture will be divided into two parts. First, I will provide an overview of bellplay~'s core features and workflow, focusing on its integration with the bach, dada, and ears packages. This section will emphasize the framework's script-based architecture, dynamic capabilities, and its seamless interface with the bell programming language. I will also highlight some advanced techniques possible in bellplay~, such as audio mosaicking, concatenative synthesis, and data-driven sampling.
The second part will present a case study: ludus vocalis, a large-scale, fixed multimedia work where bellplay~ played a pivotal role in both the audio and visual elements. I will demonstrate how bellplay~ was used to design and assemble the entirety of the audio/musical material, while also generating control data to influence visuals in TouchDesigner, a popular tool for real-time audiovisual performance. This example illustrates bellplay~’s versatility, not only as a powerful audio tool but also as a system for multimedia projects.
Through these two sections, attendees will gain a deep understanding of how bellplay~ provides compositional flexibility and technical precision for exploring algorithmic composition and audio processing.