Creative Quantum Computing: Inverse FFT, Sound Synthesis, Adaptive Sequencing and Musical Composition
This work addresses the issue of quantum computing being confined to scientific applications, making it more accessible for creative domains like music, though it is incremental in applying existing quantum methods to a new area.
The research tackled the problem of limited applications of quantum computing by extending it to the arts, specifically music, resulting in a system where quantum information processing controls an inverse FFT sound synthesizer and an adaptive musical sequencer, with a composition called Zeno as a practical example.
Quantum computing is emerging as an alternative computing technology, which is built on the principles of subatomic physics. In spite of continuing progress in developing increasingly more sophisticated hardware and software, access to quantum computing still requires specialist expertise that is largely confined to research laboratories. Moreover, the target applications for these developments remain primarily scientific. This chapter introduces research aimed at improving this scenario. Our research is aimed at extending the range of applications of quantum computing towards the arts and creative applications, music being our point of departure. This chapter reports on initial outcomes, whereby quantum information processing controls an inverse Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) sound synthesizer and an adaptive musical sequencer. A composition called Zeno is presented to illustrate a practical real-world application.