Egor Polyakov

About Me

Ukraine-born composer and researcher specializing in human-computer interactions in music. Currently pursuing post-doctoral research at HMT Leipzig, Germany. Proud father of two.

Research Focus

My research explores analytical and practical aspects of human-computer interactions in music. Over the course of my music career, my focus has evolved through the following stages:

• Performing (cello and piano)
• Composing
• Composing with electroacoustic media
• Performing with electroacoustic media
• Analyzing and understanding music with computers
• Incorporating Python and machine learning into creative and analytical music processes

Academic Background

• 2013–2018: Doctorate in Musicology (Dr. phil.), HMT Leipzig
  • Dissertation: “Computer-Based Analysis and Visual Representations of Music in the Context of the Latest Developments in Computer/Multimedia and Their Integration into Musicological Research and Teaching”
  • Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Gesine Schröder (HMT Leipzig) and Prof. Dr. Martin Supper (UdK Berlin)
• 2011–2014: Master’s in Composition, State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart
  • Under Prof. Marco Stroppa
• 2010–2013: Meisterklasse in Electroacoustics, HMT Leipzig
  • Under Prof. Ipke Starke
• 2004–2010: Diploma in Composition, HMT Leipzig
  • Under Prof. Peter Herrmann and Prof. Ipke Starke

Current Position

Since 2013, I have been serving as an Artistic Associate and Researcher at HMT Leipzig. My responsibilities include:

• Leading seminars in electroacoustics and musicology
• Providing artistic and technical supervision for student projects involving live electronics and audiovisual media in electroacoustic and composition courses

Current Projects

1. CAMAT: A Python-based symbolic music toolbox
   • Collaboration with Martin Pfleiderer at HfM Weimar
   • Learn more about CAMAT
2. AudioSpylt: A Python toolbox inspired by AudioSculpt/OM
   • Designed for in-depth audio analysis, advanced processing, and interactive visualization
   • Explore AudioSpylt on GitHub

Latest Updates

I recently attended the InMusic24 conference (https://www.inmusicconference.com/) in Oslo, and it was a blast! I met many wonderful people and presented my project on ML-based sound generation approaches (“Exploration of Timbre by Analysis and Synthesis” using Python, Ableton, and ChatGPT). The project employs various global optimization algorithms with the primary goal of synthesizing a DFT frame within a restricted FM/AM setup, optionally aimed for use within Ableton/Operator.

You can check the corresponding repository with PowerPoint slides and accompanying Jupyter notebooks: GitHub Repository.

Upcoming Talks

• “Exploring Electroacoustic Music Analysis with Multimodal Large Language Models”
  Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Musikforschung, Köln, 11–14 September 2024

• “How Constant Is Your Beat?
  Computer-Assisted Analysis of Beat and Tempo Fluctuations from Acousmatic Music to Minimal Techno with the ‘beat_it’ Toolbox.”
  Rhythm under the Microscope Conference, Vienna, 25–27 September 2024

Note on Name Change: Due to a change in my documents, my last name has been transliterated from “Poliakov” to “Polyakov” (while staying the same in Cyrillic). I am now using “Polyakov” consistently, so several publications and mentions may be inconsistent. Let’s hope for no more changes in the future! 😊