Keykit
Encyclopedia
KeyKit is a graphical environment
and programming language
for MIDI synthesis and algorithmic composition
. It was originally developed by Tim Thompson and released by AT&T
.
and the originator of various software titles, including Keykit and Stevie (predecessor of the now widely-distributed and popular text editor
Vim
). Keykit (originally named "Keynote") was developed by Thompson in his spare time while he worked for AT&T, though it was not related to his actual job there. Keynote was originally released through the AT&T Toolchest, and
in 1995 was released as KeyKit with a license making it freely available for non-commercial use.
Keykit is noteworthy for its versatility and expressiveness. Complex algorthmic arrangements can be produced with as much detail and sophistication as required, and the software works on multiple platforms and operating systems. It is not dependent on peripherals or sound cards from a specific vendor. These are unique advantages over similar "music workstation
" products with the same or similar functionality for algorithmic composition and computer generated music.
Gui
Gui or guee is a generic term to refer to grilled dishes in Korean cuisine. These most commonly have meat or fish as their primary ingredient, but may in some cases also comprise grilled vegetables or other vegetarian ingredients. The term derives from the verb, "gupda" in Korean, which literally...
and programming language
Programming language
A programming language is an artificial language designed to communicate instructions to a machine, particularly a computer. Programming languages can be used to create programs that control the behavior of a machine and/or to express algorithms precisely....
for MIDI synthesis and algorithmic composition
Algorithmic composition
Algorithmic composition is the technique of using algorithms to create music.Algorithms have been used to compose music for centuries; the procedures used to plot voice-leading in Western counterpoint, for example, can often be reduced to algorithmic determinacy...
. It was originally developed by Tim Thompson and released by AT&T
AT&T
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
.
Overview
Tim Thompson is a software engineerSoftware engineer
A software engineer is an engineer who applies the principles of software engineering to the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the software and systems that make computers or anything containing software, such as computer chips, work.- Overview :...
and the originator of various software titles, including Keykit and Stevie (predecessor of the now widely-distributed and popular text editor
Text editor
A text editor is a type of program used for editing plain text files.Text editors are often provided with operating systems or software development packages, and can be used to change configuration files and programming language source code....
Vim
Vim (text editor)
Vim is a text editor written by Bram Moolenaar and first released publicly in 1991. Based on the vi editor common to Unix-like systems, Vim is designed for use both from a command line interface and as a standalone application in a graphical user interface...
). Keykit (originally named "Keynote") was developed by Thompson in his spare time while he worked for AT&T, though it was not related to his actual job there. Keynote was originally released through the AT&T Toolchest, and
in 1995 was released as KeyKit with a license making it freely available for non-commercial use.
Keykit is noteworthy for its versatility and expressiveness. Complex algorthmic arrangements can be produced with as much detail and sophistication as required, and the software works on multiple platforms and operating systems. It is not dependent on peripherals or sound cards from a specific vendor. These are unique advantages over similar "music workstation
Music workstation
A music workstation is an electronic musical instrument providing the facilities of:*a sound module,*a music sequencer and* a musical keyboard.It enables a musician to compose electronic music using just one piece of equipment.-History:...
" products with the same or similar functionality for algorithmic composition and computer generated music.
Language features
- variables, functions, classes, and dynamic typing
- supports object-oriented programmingObject-oriented programmingObject-oriented programming is a programming paradigm using "objects" – data structures consisting of data fields and methods together with their interactions – to design applications and computer programs. Programming techniques may include features such as data abstraction,...
- always-active MIDI recording
- multi-tasking environment
- library functions and classes (both built-in and user-definable)
- multi-platform multi-os and not dependent on specific peripherals
GUI features
Features:- GUI-based multi-track sequencer
- pop-up context menus
- built-in and user-definable "tools"
Limitations
- interoperability: no support for COM/OLEComponent Object ModelComponent Object Model is a binary-interface standard for software componentry introduced by Microsoft in 1993. It is used to enable interprocess communication and dynamic object creation in a large range of programming languages...
, JackJACK Audio Connection KitJACK is a professional sound server daemon that provides real-time, low latency connections for both audio and MIDI data between applications that implement its API...
, VSTVirtual Studio TechnologySteinberg's Virtual Studio Technology is an interface for integrating software audio synthesizer and effect plugins with audio editors and hard-disk recording systems. VST and similar technologies use digital signal processing to simulate traditional recording studio hardware with software...
, RewireReWireReWire is a software protocol, jointly developed by Propellerhead and Steinberg, allowing remote control and data transfer among digital audio editing and related software... - no support for audio processing (MIDI only)