Tracing Compositional Process: Software synthesis code as documentary evidence

Composers working with text-based software synthesis languages (such a s the "Music N" languages) tend to produce rich do cumentation o f their compositional process as a byproduct of their work. This evidence, in the form of custom programs and synthesis s pecifications, documents the technical means of a work's realization; insights into the composer's creative process may be ex tended if multiple drafts, versions and revisions are available, or when o ther contextualizing documents (for example, paper sketches and source soundfiles) are also preserved. In many instances, synthesis language scores will be v aluable as historical documents, with implications for the reception and criticism of the associated works.