Cellular Automata in MIDI based Computer Music

This paper will present a survey of electronic music and sonic art applications of Cellular Automata in the MIDI domain, and of the implications of that work for future developments. Algorithmic and computational processes have been of interest to artists in the audio domain for many years, creating an emerging culture of algorithmic generative electronic art. There have been several approaches at applying Cellular Automata in the production of electronic music and sonic art. Creative domains of application exist in the fields of overall structural composition and MIDI sequencing. Cellular Automata utilised by these applications include 1D elementary, 2D Life and reaction diffusion systems. Applications from academic, independent and commercial sectors will be surveyed in an artistic, historical and technical context. This will provide the artist and scientist with a balanced view of this emerging field in generative electronic music and sonic art.