IPA MITOU Target Project | Quantum Creation

Project overview

The 2018 IPA MITOU Target research examined how quantum-gate operations could be connected with musical events and composition. The publication distinguishes a measurement-based approach from a wavefunction-based approach used for quantum live coding. The two methods use different forms of quantum information.

Research directions

Measurement-based Music Generation

Measurement outcomes of quantum circuits are mapped to discrete musical choices.

Quantum Live Coding

Simulated wavefunction parameters are mapped to musical pitch and shaped through live quantum-gate operations.

Original project and final presentation

“Development of a Music Creation System Applying Quantum Gate Circuits” was selected under the FY2018 IPA MITOU Target programme (Gate-Type Quantum Computer Division) and conducted from 2018 to 2020.

The final project presentation was recorded on February 7, 2020, in Japanese, with demonstrations. The main ideas are explained beginning around 6:33.

Watch the original project presentation ↗

Summary illustration of the IPA MITOU Target project — Overview of the MITOU Target project (2018–2020).

Thumbnail for the IPA MITOU Target final presentation video — Final presentation video, February 7, 2020 (Japanese).

Music-generation software and five modes

The music-generation program provides five modes, illustrated with GUI screenshots, quantum-circuit diagrams, and example scores.

Explore the GUI and modes →

Publication & software

Technical information in this initial release is based on the 2022 research manuscript (PDF).

For the program interface, examples, and source code, see the software and modes page.