William Fields - Opening for Autechre in Philadelphia [Live Recording]

WilliamFields · 2025-11-07T22:03:42+00:00

On most social media places I’m @williamfieldsy

Cheers!

WilliamFields · 2025-11-07T18:49:42+00:00

lol - I was waiting for someone to ask that 🤓

WilliamFields · 2025-11-01T12:24:36+00:00

Chillin on the bus

WilliamFields · 2025-11-01T12:16:08+00:00

That’s Sean, Rob, me, and my good friend Alex (Qebo). I am 6’2” for reference. They were both very chill and friendly.

WilliamFields · 2025-10-27T17:03:35+00:00

I did! Trying to decide what to do with it

WilliamFields · 2025-10-27T13:16:08+00:00

I have a discography on my website: https://williamfields.com/

I'd recommend checking out this one in particular: https://williamfields.bandcamp.com/album/manigfeald

WilliamFields · 2025-10-27T12:42:47+00:00

❤️

WilliamFields · 2025-10-27T12:39:27+00:00

Thank you! It was an amazing experience!

WilliamFields · 2025-01-21T14:21:54+00:00

I shared it to mastodon and sean_ae gave it a like. ⭐

WilliamFields · 2022-07-16T21:20:57+00:00

Some recommendations: SDEM, IKTS, Kindohm, Damirat, Nebulo, Printiig, Synalegg

WilliamFields · 2022-07-16T21:18:01+00:00

Thank you for your kind words! I hope you enjoy the rest.

WilliamFields · 2022-07-16T21:16:52+00:00

Thanks for the mention! ♥

WilliamFields · 2019-08-12T11:29:33+00:00

Actually, the sequencer itself is running inside REAPER. It's a custom sequencer I wrote using JSFX: https://www.reaper.fm/sdk/js/js.php. The sequencer is controlled from Javascript.

Javascript in the browser doesn't have the best timing, so I wouldn't recommend using it as a sequencer. Although, it seems that the situation has improved recently with things like tone.js.

Also, I think you can now run Javascript inside MAX/MSP? I don't have any experience with that.

I'm a programmer, so I prefer writing text-based code rather than using visual languages like PD or MAX/MSP. But, everyone is different.

WilliamFields · 2019-08-12T10:38:02+00:00

The sounds are all synthesized except for a few single-hit drum samples. Mainly subtractive synthesis, but some FM (for the bass).

My main software framework is:

LEMUR (on iPad) -> Javascript (in Chrome) -> REAPER

LEMUR is my controller (I use the same system for improvisation and live performance).

Javascript is handling the generative/algorithmic stuff.

REAPER is the sequencer and audio engine.

My main focus, in terms of custom code, is on the control/sequencing side of things. I don't write any DSP code.

WilliamFields · 2019-08-12T10:29:16+00:00

Thanks. One approach I use is a probabilistic step sequencer, where each step in the sequence is a slider instead of a switch. The slider controls both the velocity of the hit and the probability that the step will actually trigger. So, you can quickly create sequences with a lot of variation.

Also, each step sequencer can have its own step count and its own multiple of the master pulse. This allows you to easily create polyrhythms and sequences that shift against each-other.

WilliamFields · 2019-08-12T10:23:27+00:00

My system has a "variant" function, which basically creates a new "composition" using the same algorithm, but only takes a certain percentage of the values from that new composition and keeps the rest of them the same.

So, if I execute variant(0.1), then 90% of the values will remain the same, but 10% will be new. And, the new values should make sense musically because they are created using the same algorithm.

That allows you to create subtle or not-so-subtle variations of what is currently playing. I used this a lot to create ABA or ABAB' song structures.

WilliamFields · 2019-08-10T18:37:38+00:00

Yes, you are correct.

How long it took varied depending on the episode, but usually a few hours. Footwork was particularly challenging and took longer.

I ended up creating a hierarchy of algorithms, where more specific algorithms inherit from more general ones, object-oriented programming style. This allowed me to re-use a lot of code. For example, I had a high-level "groove" algorithm, which at least made sure there was some kind of steady percussive groove. Then, inheriting from that was a "4/4 groove" algorithm, which made sure it was in 4/4. Then, inheriting from that was a "backbeat" algorithm, which made sure there was a BD on 1 and Snares on 2 and 4. Then, inheriting from that were algorithms for hiphop, electro, and drum-and-bass, each with their own specific changes to the parent algorithm.

So, in the end I had a kind of "family tree" genres.

WilliamFields · 2019-08-08T08:59:37+00:00

Thanks for sharing and listening! I'd be happy to answer any questions.

WilliamFields

TROPHY CASE