‘Ambiguous Live’ – Exploring Collaborative, Dynamic Control of MIDI Sequencers

Computer sequencers generally control other digital musical instruments. This paper discusses our particular interest in playing the sequencers themselves as digital musical instruments. We present our ensemble’s approach to live sequencer-based performance, supporting multiple musicians coordinating activities through one central control system. We then review a number of promising software technologies currently available for the purpose of such live sequencer-based performances, and finally discuss our consequent future performance goals.