Sound motion is organized as simple, complex, and compound processes that evolve spectrum, space, or both

Adapted from Denis Smalley’s spectromorphology, motion processes describe how sound evolves through changes in spectrum, space, or other parameters. The taxonomy orders by complexity: Simple motion — change in only one parameter of one sound. Complex motion — simultaneous changes in several parameters of one sound. Compound motion — changes across several independent sounds. Motion sequences — series of related motions. These categories have intentional gray zones: perceptual boundaries are ambiguous, and a technically simple motion may be perceptually complex. The framework is a compositional tool — its purpose is to guide the creation of sonic motion, not merely its analysis.

Examples

Simple: a sine wave swept from 200 Hz to 2000 Hz over 30 seconds. Complex: a granular cloud where grain density and pitch spread both increase together. Compound: two streams where one ascends in pitch as the other accelerates in rhythm. Algorithmic control: random walk on pitch combined with accelerating rhythm creating a spiral.

Assessment

Compose a 30-second Max patch demonstrating one example of each: simple motion, complex motion, and a transition between them. Write 2 sentences describing which parameters change and when.