Mimi4x: An interactive audio-visual installation for high-level structural improvisation

We present Mimi4x, an interactive audio-visual installation that engages members of the general public in high-level structural decision-making in musical improvisation. Through a MIDI controller, the user manages four instances of the Mimi 1.5 improvisation system. The visuals in each Mimi system animate the generation of new music, depicting the recombination of musical material, and the flow of generated music in time. A composer prepares original music material for each Mimi to use in its improvisation. Through Mimi4x, the user is directly involved in the improvisation/composition process, and takes on some of the role of the composer. The user chooses which oracles will perform and when, and can adjust the recombination rate for, and playback volume of, each oracle during performance. This simple method of interaction is accessible to all users regardless of their musical background, yet gives the user significant and satisfying influence over the music generated.