Harmonic Mathematics
Ball has an interest in algorithmically generated sound, music and visuals. He was inspired by John Whitney's pre-computer and computer generated films to begin work on a branch of mathematics called harmonic mathematics in 1984. With the initial help of Michael Tusch and James Larsson, this branch of mathematics was developed on the foundation of Whitney's differential dynamics and has been applied to graphic 3D visuals, sound timbres and melodic loops which evolved from the later 1980s.
Such compositions are similar to fractal and chaos sequences, but unlike fractals, are structured into time. With this input, Dave Snowdon developed a computer program in 1995 called Visual Harmony which produces graphics for live performance at musical events.
In the 1980s Ball developed a series of harmonic-math generated "timbral transforms" tones which produced compositions co-authored with Isobel McGilvray, and marketed as ShapeTapes. From 1984, many of Ball's scores feature harmonic maths processes that he created without computer programs. Pete Townshend's Method software uses harmonic maths exclusively in its generation. A technical explanation of harmonic maths and their use in music composition is available on Ball's website.
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