Abstract
‘Easter eggs’ are hidden components that can be found in
computer software and various other media including
music. In this paper the concept is explained, and various
examples are discussed from a variety of mediums including analogue and digital audio formats. Through this discussion, the purpose of including easter eggs in musical mediums is considered. We propose that easter eggs can serve to provide comic amusement within a work, but can also serve to support the artistic message of the artwork. Concealing easter eggs in music is partly dependent on the properties of the chosen medium; vinyl records may use techniques such as double grooves, while digital formats such as CD may feature hidden tracks that follow long periods of empty space. Approaches such as these and others are discussed. Lastly, we discuss some software components we have developed ourselves in
Max/MSP, which facilitate the production of easter eggs
by performing certain sequences of notes, or as a result of
time-based events. We therefore argue that computer
music performances present unique opportunities for the
incorporation of easter eggs. These may occur to the
surprise of audiences, performers and composers, and
may support the artistic purpose of compositions as a
whole.
computer software and various other media including
music. In this paper the concept is explained, and various
examples are discussed from a variety of mediums including analogue and digital audio formats. Through this discussion, the purpose of including easter eggs in musical mediums is considered. We propose that easter eggs can serve to provide comic amusement within a work, but can also serve to support the artistic message of the artwork. Concealing easter eggs in music is partly dependent on the properties of the chosen medium; vinyl records may use techniques such as double grooves, while digital formats such as CD may feature hidden tracks that follow long periods of empty space. Approaches such as these and others are discussed. Lastly, we discuss some software components we have developed ourselves in
Max/MSP, which facilitate the production of easter eggs
by performing certain sequences of notes, or as a result of
time-based events. We therefore argue that computer
music performances present unique opportunities for the
incorporation of easter eggs. These may occur to the
surprise of audiences, performers and composers, and
may support the artistic purpose of compositions as a
whole.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | International Computer Music Conference Proceedings, 2014 |
| Place of Publication | United States |
| Publisher | International Computer Music Association |
| Pages | 140-147 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Publication status | Published - 2014 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | 40th International Computer Music Conference (ICMC) joint with the 11th Sound & Music Computing conference (SMC): Music Technology meets Philosophy: From Digital Echos to Virtual Ethos - Athens, Greece Duration: 14 Sept 2014 → 20 Sept 2014 |
Conference
| Conference | 40th International Computer Music Conference (ICMC) joint with the 11th Sound & Music Computing conference (SMC) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | ICMC | SMC | 2014 |
| Country/Territory | Greece |
| City | Athens |
| Period | 14/09/14 → 20/09/14 |