Maija Anttila

SoLow is a computer application, that allows interactive musical improvisation between an acoustic melody instrument and a machine.

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SoLow listens and calculates different musical parameters such as pitches, note lengths, note density and pulse of the live playing.  SoLow stores this data in lists of numbers that are continuously updated and read by its three different machines:

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Melody machine produces responsive melodic phrases, Harmony machine produces accompanying sustained harmonies and Groove machine produces two-layered accompanying grooves to the music played by a human.

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SoLow is written in a graphic programming language Max/MSP. It's a standalone application that doesn't require Max license or runtime. You can purchase SoLow for macOS and Windows at the shop. Please check the system requirements in the product description in advance. The download includes a user's guide that has more detailed instructions for playing with SoLow.

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For producing the output, SoLow makes use of instrument-specific samples. There are currently nine different sample packages available for free download at the bottom of this page. You need to download at least one sample package to be able to use SoLow.

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SoLow is an ongoing independent artistic research project. By purchasing SoLow, you support the development and administration work around the project. New updates of the application will be released while the research proceeds.

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The development of SoLow has been supported by Amarte Fonds, Kone Foundation and Arts Promotion Center Finland.

SoLow logo is designed by Annika Granlund.

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SoLow 2.0

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SoLow 2.0 is an updated version of SoLow application released on 2.6.2023. Differences to the first released version are:

- option to connect up to three different instruments to the SoLow app and play as an ensemble

- renewed manual sound processing assigned for each of the SoLow machines

- new instrument settings and sample packages added to the sound library: guitar, cello, noise

- several minor improvements to reactivity and activity settings

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More information

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My broader text about the use of interactive electronics in free improvisation and SoLow project was published in Kone Foundation's Kaivolla-blog on 10.5.2023 (in Finnish only).