Fractal timing in computer music : a MIDI implementation

Human musical performance is filled with subtle nuances and intricate timing relationships, which makes its simulation a complex task for the computer. Various efforts in realizing dynamic tempos and phrasings have applied a process, termed "time warping", utilizing simple linear or polynomial functions. This paper introduces the use of fractal functions in this time warping process.

By utilizing the Macintosh computer and a specialized file format, standard among MIDI software and hardware, a time warping application was developed which included both conventional functions and those generated by a fractal process. With this implementation in place, examples were tried, and the results gathered.

These results demonstrated that the fractal process was effective in generating aesthetically pleasing musical transitions. In addition, the fractal results were wideranging in character and thus suited to various musical contexts. The author's composition. Clockwork, provided an opportunity to use the process in a real musical piece. Thus, fractal warping was determined to be effective in the creation of computer music nuances and phrasings.