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For a long time computer musicians have been trying to hide the computation in their music, and we're celebrating it.
Live coding is a new direction in electronic music and video: live coders expose and rewire the innards of software while it generates improvised music and/or visuals. All code manipulation is projected for your pleasure. TOPLAP exists to promote it.
Introductory videos
The best introduction to live coding is to watch some.
- Show us your screens by Louis McCallum and Davy Smith is the most recent documentary, featuring interviews with several live coders and live footage
- Algorithms are Thoughts, Chainsaws are Tools is a thoughtful commentary by Stephen Ramsey on a screen cast by Andrew Sorensen.
- Programming, meet music is a classic BBC treatment of live coding.
- Many screencasts of live coders in action are available at our sister website http://livecoding.co.uk/
Discussion
You are most welcome to join our mailing list , where we discuss live coding, share experiences and advertise events over email. You may also ask questions here on the wiki.
Start live coding!
- First thing is to read our Draft Manifesto.
- Familiarise yourself with TOPLAP history and pre-history
- Maybe have a look at things people have written about live coding
- See all the live coding environments available, most are free/open source or freeware
- Once you're live coding, make yourself an official TOPLAP member simply by adding yourself to this list .
Or if you don't fancy programming, why not try Live Coding Without Computers
Miscellaneous and older stuff
- ToplapEvents - fallen into disuse, but of historical interest
- TOPLAP CDs - the shop is down, but copies of the TOPLAP CD still exist
- ToplapStreams - streamed livecoding sessions, haven't take off so far
- Live Coding Practice
- ToplapSlogans
- Resources
- Hackpact - where livecoders + friends made something a day for a month
- Contact
Local websites
- TOPLAP UK - for news of livecoding events around the UK