Lîla is a computer music instrument currently implemented in Pure Data version 0-55-2 and above. The word “lîla” is an old Sanskrit word signifying divine play, the play of destruction and creation, or the play of presence in the moment. The computer music instrument Lîla is built based on simple analog processes (e.g., loop, delay, ring modulation, and feedback) whose parameters are controlled precisely by a performative action or through messages. Lîla samples and transforms the acoustic material played in real-time based on the actions of the Lîla player; the acoustic performer can improvise more material on this newly created sound. This becomes a continual and circular process, and through the use of delays and feedback, the resuting sound can become complex quickly. The precise real-time control of the parameters allows the Lîla improvisor to participate in both micro and macro level of musical formations. Thus, the computer not only can act as agent of form in macro structure of time (such as it is in music involving tape music) and lead the acoustic performer, but also provides a musical context in which a human improvisor, using the computer as an instrument, can accompany and respond to the acoustic material. Thus, the acoustic performer can have the same form of musical freedom which he or she enjoys in a traditional setting in an augmented expressive language.
Network extensions have been added to Lîla so that its performer could control multiple instances of the program over the network, while Lîla compensates for the actions of the performer based on the intrinsic network delays. I am interested in exploration of the play with space over the network, in the same way that I am able to play with delay in a single location, to turn the physical distance into an ephemeral yet malleable artistic parameter.
Currently Lîla is only available for Mac OS X. One can download the application or clone the git repository.
Download current version of Lîla for Mac OS App
Click here for older versions
git clone --recursive git@gitlab.com:Yadegari/Lila.git cd Lila git submodule update --init --recursive