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Timbre and Orchestration Resource
About
Publications
Learn About Timbre
Learn About Orchestration
FR
Timbre and Orchestration Resource
About
Publications
Learn About Timbre
Learn About Orchestration
FR
Folder:About
Folder:Publications
Folder:Learn About Timbre
Folder:Learn About Orchestration
FR
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The Timbre and Orchestration Resource (TOR) is an open-access web platform featuring articles, essays, videos, teaching and learning materials, and other resources dedicated to research and pedagogy in timbre and orchestration.

ABOUT the TOR

Learn more about how this site is designed to support the analysis, creation, and teaching of timbre and orchestration.

CONTACT

Have questions or want to connect? Reach out to us directly using the contact details provided on this page.

SITE MAP

Navigate our site with ease. This sitemap provides an overview of all pages to help you find what you're looking for quickly.

ACTOR PROJECT

An international transdisciplinary partnership researching timbre and orchestration.

 
 

In this section of the site, you can find written and video publications created by members of the ACTOR (Analysis, Creation, and Teaching of Orchestration) Project as well as bibliographies on various topics related to timbre and orchestration. Click on the menu items below to learn more.

WRITINGS

Explore peer-reviewed articles and essays advancing the study of timbre and orchestration.

VIDEOS

Discover videos and research presentations showcasing insights into timbre and orchestration.

EXTERNAL PUBLICATIONS

Publications by the Analysis, Creation, and Teaching of Orchestration Project.

 

HOW TO CITE

Suggested guidelines for how to cite publications and resources on this website.

BIBLIOGRAPHIES

Bibliographies on various topics central to the study of timbre, orchestration, and music perception.

 
 
 

Timbre is often described as a sound’s “colour.” More specifically, it is defined as a set of auditory attributes that both carry musical qualities and collectively contribute to sound source recognition and identification. Click on the menu items below to learn more.

LEARN ABOUT TIMBRE

Learn about timbre with resources for all levels—explore, understand, and deepen your knowledge.

TEACHING TIMBRE TOPICS

Access modular teaching materials on timbre, encompassing definitions, analysis, and practical applications.

TIMBRE COURSE SYLLABI

Find syllabi from leading educators to guide teaching and learning in timbre studies.

ACTOR EDUFILMS

A series of short films, suitable for all audiences, on compelling and mystifying timbre and orchestration topics.

 
 

Orchestration involves the skillful selection, combination, and juxtaposition of instruments at different pitches and dynamics to achieve a particular sonic goal. Click on the menu items below to learn more.

LEARN ABOUT ORCHESTRATION

Explore resources to deepen your understanding of orchestration, from techniques to expressive possibilities.

ORCHESTRAL RECORDINGS (ODESSA)

Multitrack recordings of orchestral excerpts, analyzing the effects of instrumental distribution on sound, space, and acoustics.

RESEARCH ENSEMBLES (CORE)

A collaborative initiative where student composers and performers explore orchestration through research-creation projects.

 
 
 

ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENTS

Learn more about the instruments of the Western orchestra.

INSTRUMENTS OF THE CHINESE ORCHESTRA

Learn more about the instruments of the Chinese orchestra.

 

 

Featured
Unveiling Timbre in Musical Interpretation: Insights from Acoustical Analysis and Synthesis
Scholarly Publications, Analysis
Recommend External Content
Unveiling Timbre in Musical Interpretation: Insights from Acoustical Analysis and Synthesis
Scholarly Publications, Analysis
Recommend External Content

This dissertation examines the role of timbre in musical interpretation, focusing on its contribution to expression and perception. Using an analysis-synthesis approach, it offers new insights into how performers shape sound beyond timing and dynamics.

Scholarly Publications, Analysis
Recommend External Content
La Mer — Orchestration Analysis Series by Thomas Goss
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La Mer — Orchestration Analysis Series by Thomas Goss
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Orchestration Analysis Series — Introduction
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Unlocking the Secrets of Orchestral Simulation — Alan Belkin
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The lone instrument: musical solos and sadness-related features
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Recommend External Content
The lone instrument: musical solos and sadness-related features
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Recommend External Content

Visit Site >

Hansen, N. C., & Huron, D. (2018). The lone instrument: musical solos and sadness-related features. Music Perception: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 35(5), 540-560.

Scholarly Publications, Analysis
Recommend External Content
An exploratory study of Western orchestration: Patterns through history
Scholarly Publications, Analysis
Recommend External Content
An exploratory study of Western orchestration: Patterns through history
Scholarly Publications, Analysis
Recommend External Content

Visit Site >

Chon, S. H., Huron, D., & DeVlieger, D. (2018). An exploratory study of Western orchestration: Patterns through history. Empirical Musicology Review, 12(3-4), 116-159.

Scholarly Publications, Analysis
Recommend External Content
Live Electronic Music
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ACTOR Project-Connected Content
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Scholarly Publications, Analysis
ACTOR Project-Connected Content

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Sallis, F., Bertolani, V., Burleis, J., & Zattra, L. (2020). Live Electronic Music. Routledge.

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ACTOR Project-Connected Content
Neural entrainment to music is sensitive to melodic spectral complexity.
Scholarly Publications, Analysis
ACTOR Project-Connected Content
Neural entrainment to music is sensitive to melodic spectral complexity.
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ACTOR Project-Connected Content

Visit Site >

Wollman, I., Arias, P., Aucouturier, J. J., & Morillon, B. (2020). Neural entrainment to music is sensitive to melodic spectral complexity. Journal of Neurophysiology, 123(3), 1063-1071.

Scholarly Publications, Analysis
ACTOR Project-Connected Content
Timbre semantics through the lens of crossmodal correspondences: A new way of asking old questions
Scholarly Publications, Analysis
ACTOR Project-Connected Content
Timbre semantics through the lens of crossmodal correspondences: A new way of asking old questions
Scholarly Publications, Analysis
ACTOR Project-Connected Content

Visit Site >

Saitis, C., Weinzierl, S., von Kriegstein, K., Ystad, S., & Cuskley, C. (2020). Timbre semantics through the lens of crossmodal correspondences: A new way of asking old questions. Acoustical Science and Technology, 41(1), 365-368.

Scholarly Publications, Analysis
ACTOR Project-Connected Content
Flow synthesizer: Universal audio synthesizer control with normalizing flows
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ACTOR Project-Connected Content
Flow synthesizer: Universal audio synthesizer control with normalizing flows
Scholarly Publications, Analysis
ACTOR Project-Connected Content

Visit Site >

Esling, P., Masuda, N., Bardet, A., Despres, R., & Chemla-Romeu-Santos, A. (2020). Flow synthesizer: Universal audio synthesizer control with normalizing flows. Applied Sciences, 10(1), 302.

Scholarly Publications, Analysis
ACTOR Project-Connected Content
Experiences of Time and Timelessness in Electroacoustic Music
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ACTOR Project-based content
Experiences of Time and Timelessness in Electroacoustic Music
Scholarly Publications, Analysis
ACTOR Project-based content

Visit Site >

Noble, J., Bonin, T., & McAdams, S. (2020). Experiences of Time and Timelessness in Electroacoustic Music. Organised Sound, 25(2), 232-247.

Scholarly Publications, Analysis
ACTOR Project-based content
Sound mass, auditory perception, and ‘post-tone’music.
Scholarly Publications, Analysis
ACTOR Project-based content
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Scholarly Publications, Analysis
ACTOR Project-based content

Visit Site >

Noble, J., & McAdams, S. (2020). Sound mass, auditory perception, and ‘post-tone’music. Journal of New Music Research, 49(3), 231-251.

Scholarly Publications, Analysis
ACTOR Project-based content
Preschoolers’ crossmodal mappings of timbre
Scholarly Publications, Analysis
ACTOR Project-based content
Preschoolers’ crossmodal mappings of timbre
Scholarly Publications, Analysis
ACTOR Project-based content

Visit Site >

Wallmark, Z., & Allen, S. E. (2020). Preschoolers’ crossmodal mappings of timbre. Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, 1-7.

Scholarly Publications, Analysis
ACTOR Project-based content
Orchestration and Re-Orchestration: A study of combinations and contrasts
Recordings, Analysis
ACTOR Project-based content
Orchestration and Re-Orchestration: A study of combinations and contrasts
Recordings, Analysis
ACTOR Project-based content

Go to page >


Recordings, Analysis
ACTOR Project-based content
Using auditory imagery tasks to map the cognitive linguistic dimensions of musical instrument timbre qualia
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ACTOR Project-Connected Content
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Film: Le temps du souffle
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ACTOR Project-Connected Content
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ACTOR Project-Connected Content

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Analysis, Analytical Applications, Repertoire, Video
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Analyse-concert : Sequenza VIIb by Luciano Berio : a performance point of view by Pierre Michel, in Musimédiane Numéro 4  (2009)
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ACTOR Project-Connected Content
Analyse-concert : Sequenza VIIb by Luciano Berio : a performance point of view by Pierre Michel, in Musimédiane Numéro 4 (2009)
Analysis, Analytical Applications, Repertoire, Video
ACTOR Project-Connected Content

Visit Site >

Analysis, Analytical Applications, Repertoire, Video
ACTOR Project-Connected Content
Film: "Autour de Paul Méfano"
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La masterclass des solistes de l'Ensemble Intercontemporain :  Samuel Favre, Eric-Maria Couturier, Nicolas Crosse, Sébastien Vichard.
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La masterclass des solistes de l'Ensemble Intercontemporain : Samuel Favre, Eric-Maria Couturier, Nicolas Crosse, Sébastien Vichard.
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Film: Francesconi's Animus IIb
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Documentary: Ligeti's Trio for Violin, Horn, and Piano
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Analysis, Repertoire, Analytical Applications
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Musimédiane N°9
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An interactive aural analysis of Jonathan Harvey's Mortuos Plango, Vivos Voco
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Analyse de Jour, contre-jour de Gérard Grisey: une approche perceptive
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Studying Luigi Nono's A Pierre
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Discovering Haydn’s Genius: Visualizing Orchestral Strategies with Orchestral Graphs
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Scores, Repertoire, Scholarly Publications, Databases and Compendia, Analysis, Resources
ACTOR Project-Connected Content

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Scores, Repertoire, Scholarly Publications, Databases and Compendia, Analysis, Resources
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Semantics
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ACTOR Project-based content
Semantics
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ACTOR Project-based content

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Active Projects, Research, Analysis
ACTOR Project-based content
Taxonomies of Orchestration
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ACTOR Project-based content

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Taxonomy, Active Projects, Research, Analysis
ACTOR Project-based content
An interdisciplinary symphonic recording for the study of orchestral sound blending
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An interdisciplinary symphonic recording for the study of orchestral sound blending
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ACTOR Project-based content

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Research, Active Projects, Analysis
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VRACE-Virtual Reality Audio for Cyber Environments
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Instruments of Music Theory
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ACTOR Project-based content
Unveiling Timbre in Musical Interpretation: Insights from Acoustical Analysis and Synthesis
Recommend External Content Timbre and Orchestration Resource 3/28/22 Recommend External Content Timbre and Orchestration Resource 3/28/22

Unveiling Timbre in Musical Interpretation: Insights from Acoustical Analysis and Synthesis

This dissertation examines the role of timbre in musical interpretation, focusing on its contribution to expression and perception. Using an analysis-synthesis approach, it offers new insights into how performers shape sound beyond timing and dynamics.

Read More
La Mer — Orchestration Analysis Series by Thomas Goss
Recommend External Content Links 4/12/21 Recommend External Content Links 4/12/21

La Mer — Orchestration Analysis Series by Thomas Goss

Visit Site >

Orchestration Analysis Series — Introduction
Debussy's Oceanic Orchestra: La mer

Read More
Unlocking the Secrets of Orchestral Simulation — Alan Belkin
Recommend External Content Links 11/27/20 Recommend External Content Links 11/27/20

Unlocking the Secrets of Orchestral Simulation — Alan Belkin

Visit Site >

Read More
The lone instrument: musical solos and sadness-related features
Recommend External Content Links 9/15/20 Recommend External Content Links 9/15/20

The lone instrument: musical solos and sadness-related features

Visit Site >

Hansen, N. C., & Huron, D. (2018). The lone instrument: musical solos and sadness-related features. Music Perception: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 35(5), 540-560.

Read More
An exploratory study of Western orchestration: Patterns through history
Recommend External Content Links 9/15/20 Recommend External Content Links 9/15/20

An exploratory study of Western orchestration: Patterns through history

Visit Site >

Chon, S. H., Huron, D., & DeVlieger, D. (2018). An exploratory study of Western orchestration: Patterns through history. Empirical Musicology Review, 12(3-4), 116-159.

Read More
Live Electronic Music
ACTOR Project-Connected Content Friedemann Sallis 9/15/20 ACTOR Project-Connected Content Friedemann Sallis 9/15/20

Live Electronic Music

Visit Site >

Sallis, F., Bertolani, V., Burleis, J., & Zattra, L. (2020). Live Electronic Music. Routledge.

Read More
Neural entrainment to music is sensitive to melodic spectral complexity.
ACTOR Project-Connected Content Indiana Wollman 9/15/20 ACTOR Project-Connected Content Indiana Wollman 9/15/20

Neural entrainment to music is sensitive to melodic spectral complexity.

Visit Site >

Wollman, I., Arias, P., Aucouturier, J. J., & Morillon, B. (2020). Neural entrainment to music is sensitive to melodic spectral complexity. Journal of Neurophysiology, 123(3), 1063-1071.

Read More
Timbre semantics through the lens of crossmodal correspondences: A new way of asking old questions
ACTOR Project-Connected Content ‪Charalampos Saitis‬ 9/15/20 ACTOR Project-Connected Content ‪Charalampos Saitis‬ 9/15/20

Timbre semantics through the lens of crossmodal correspondences: A new way of asking old questions

Visit Site >

Saitis, C., Weinzierl, S., von Kriegstein, K., Ystad, S., & Cuskley, C. (2020). Timbre semantics through the lens of crossmodal correspondences: A new way of asking old questions. Acoustical Science and Technology, 41(1), 365-368.

Read More
Flow synthesizer: Universal audio synthesizer control with normalizing flows
ACTOR Project-Connected Content Philippe Esling 9/15/20 ACTOR Project-Connected Content Philippe Esling 9/15/20

Flow synthesizer: Universal audio synthesizer control with normalizing flows

Visit Site >

Esling, P., Masuda, N., Bardet, A., Despres, R., & Chemla-Romeu-Santos, A. (2020). Flow synthesizer: Universal audio synthesizer control with normalizing flows. Applied Sciences, 10(1), 302.

Read More
Experiences of Time and Timelessness in Electroacoustic Music
ACTOR Project-based content Jason Noble 9/15/20 ACTOR Project-based content Jason Noble 9/15/20

Experiences of Time and Timelessness in Electroacoustic Music

Visit Site >

Noble, J., Bonin, T., & McAdams, S. (2020). Experiences of Time and Timelessness in Electroacoustic Music. Organised Sound, 25(2), 232-247.

Read More
Sound mass, auditory perception, and ‘post-tone’music.
ACTOR Project-based content Jason Noble and Stephen McAdams 9/15/20 ACTOR Project-based content Jason Noble and Stephen McAdams 9/15/20

Sound mass, auditory perception, and ‘post-tone’music.

Visit Site >

Noble, J., & McAdams, S. (2020). Sound mass, auditory perception, and ‘post-tone’music. Journal of New Music Research, 49(3), 231-251.

Read More
Preschoolers’ crossmodal mappings of timbre
ACTOR Project-based content Zachary Wallmark 9/15/20 ACTOR Project-based content Zachary Wallmark 9/15/20

Preschoolers’ crossmodal mappings of timbre

Visit Site >

Wallmark, Z., & Allen, S. E. (2020). Preschoolers’ crossmodal mappings of timbre. Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, 1-7.

Read More
Orchestration and Re-Orchestration: A study of combinations and contrasts
ACTOR Project-based content HEM Research Team 9/8/20 ACTOR Project-based content HEM Research Team 9/8/20

Orchestration and Re-Orchestration: A study of combinations and contrasts

Go to page >


Read More
Using auditory imagery tasks to map the cognitive linguistic dimensions of musical instrument timbre qualia
ACTOR Project-Connected Content Lindsey Reymore 9/3/20 ACTOR Project-Connected Content Lindsey Reymore 9/3/20

Using auditory imagery tasks to map the cognitive linguistic dimensions of musical instrument timbre qualia

Visit Site >

Read More
Film: Le temps du souffle
ACTOR Project-Connected Content Pierre Michel 5/28/20 ACTOR Project-Connected Content Pierre Michel 5/28/20

Film: Le temps du souffle

Visit Site >

Read More
Analyse-concert : Sequenza VIIb by Luciano Berio : a performance point of view by Pierre Michel, in Musimédiane Numéro 4  (2009)
ACTOR Project-Connected Content Pierre Michel 5/28/20 ACTOR Project-Connected Content Pierre Michel 5/28/20

Analyse-concert : Sequenza VIIb by Luciano Berio : a performance point of view by Pierre Michel, in Musimédiane Numéro 4 (2009)

Visit Site >

Read More
Film: "Autour de Paul Méfano"
ACTOR Project-Connected Content Pierre Michel 5/28/20 ACTOR Project-Connected Content Pierre Michel 5/28/20

Film: "Autour de Paul Méfano"

Visit Site >

Read More
La masterclass des solistes de l'Ensemble Intercontemporain :  Samuel Favre, Eric-Maria Couturier, Nicolas Crosse, Sébastien Vichard.
ACTOR Project-Connected Content Pierre Michel 5/28/20 ACTOR Project-Connected Content Pierre Michel 5/28/20

La masterclass des solistes de l'Ensemble Intercontemporain : Samuel Favre, Eric-Maria Couturier, Nicolas Crosse, Sébastien Vichard.

Visit Site >

Read More
Film: Francesconi's Animus IIb
ACTOR Project-Connected Content Pierre Michel 5/28/20 ACTOR Project-Connected Content Pierre Michel 5/28/20

Film: Francesconi's Animus IIb

Visit Site >

Read More
Documentary: Ligeti's Trio for Violin, Horn, and Piano
ACTOR Project-Connected Content Pierre Michel 5/28/20 ACTOR Project-Connected Content Pierre Michel 5/28/20

Documentary: Ligeti's Trio for Violin, Horn, and Piano

Visit Site >

Read More
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