i-Berlioz: Towards Interactive Computer-Aided Orchestration with Temporal Control

Abstract

This paper introduces i-Berlioz, a proof-of-concept interactive Computer Aided Orchestration (CAO) system that suggests combinations of musical instruments to produce timbres specified by the user by means of verbal descriptors. The system relies on machine learning for timbre classification and generative orchestration, and tools to write and execute interactive scenarios. The paper details the two main parts of i-Berlioz: its generative and exploratory engines, respectively, accompanied with examples. The authors discuss how i-Berlioz can aid the composition of musical form based on timbre.