User-Guided Evolution Of Granular Synthesis

An innovative user interface for an audio plugin is presented. The system features an interactive genetic algorithm, for user exploration of granular synthesis parameter settings. The interface design is motivated to allow the user to intuitively and efficiently audition and evaluate parameter sets. This is particularly important with granular delay effects, since many parameter combinations will be undesirable to most listeners. The interface uses a minimalist 3-value evaluation scheme, which lets the user protect, use, or delete candidate parameter combinations. This permits parameters to be auditioned in a matter of a few seconds or less. The interface also lets the user directly edit parameters, for further use in evolutionary exploration, or for final music production. This style of evolutionary interface should be easily adapted to other musical applications in the future, for example, generalized synthesis engines.