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Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine the methods employed to design a computer music system suitable for music composition purposes. The nature of an interface is introduced and discussed (Chapter 2), with particular reference to interfacing issues for computer music users. The nature of the user and the notion of a task in computer music are discussed and examined (Chapter 3), with outline methods for evaluations of users and tasks being introduced. Current computer systems design and analysis methodologies are introduced (Chapter 4), and subsequently adapted for use in computer music design and analysis applications. A set of guidelines is introduced in Chapter 5, specifically related to the design and analysis of computer music systems. These guidelines are formulated from the discussions regarding the interfacing requirements of a musician user and the nature of the tasks he wishes to accomplish employing computer related technology. An examination of several systems forms a major part of the thesis (Chapters 6 - 10), outlining a variety of available composition tools at the time of writing. Each system introduced and discussed is evaluated in relation to the guidelines introduced for design and analysis of computer music systems. An interface design case study (Chapter 11) employs the design methods introduced during the thesis, and highlights the need for intensive designer - user discourse.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	M Music and Books on Music > M Music Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Computer software T Technology
Departments:	School of Communication & Creativity > Performing Arts > Music School of Communication & Creativity > School of Communication & Creativity Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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