While Ikeda's albums released in recent years featured his composition works, this album features his computer improvisations.
In the first place, computers are not musical instruments. They are not designed to perform music. A computer is a data-processing device, and playing a computer is not about handling physical vibrations like a musical instrument but about processing data. Using a computer instead of a musical instrument would only result in a poorly made instrument.
When the computer receives input from the user, it produces an output according to some algorithm. In other words, playing the computer means interacting with the algorithm. The very sophisticated algorithm is like a musical score. If the algorithms become too sophisticated, the computer will compose automatically, leaving no room for user intervention. So, Ikeda believed that to live-perform with the algorithm could be achieved by disassembling the algorithm once assembled.
Replacing automated procedures with manual ones, Ikeda designed a GUI (graphical user interface) with a tablet device that can be operated quasi-polyphonic through the page function. A physical controller is not efficient enough to create a console that conforms to the algorithm. Additionally, he practiced how to play using the GUI. A musical instrument requires practice, and something that does not require practice is not a musical instrument but just a music-playing device. Therefore, individual performances may not be perfect. The recordings on this album have not been overdubbed or edited except for trimming and mastering. The 2nd track was recorded live at Ftarri. (Takumi Ikeda)
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