This study focuses on optimizing quantum gate functionality and developing an automated composition controller for the Q1 quantum synth, originally developed by the Miranda team. By integrating nine types of quantum gates, including rotation and phase gates, and combining MIDI control with OSC/QASM protocols, a closedloop interactive system linking gesture input to quantum state processing to sound output was constructed. Utilizing Markov chain algorithms, the system supports diversified control from improvised timbre generation to structured music composition. This optimization overcomes the parameter adjustment limitations of traditional synths. Through open-source implementation and international performance demonstrations, the technical feasibility has been validated. It is crucial to clarify that the current system only achieves single-qubit state simulation, and the musical mapping of multi-qubit entangled states has not yet been realized—a key limitation to be addressed in subsequent research. The system is innovatively applied to classical and intangible cultural heritage music, offering a novel “quantum state–musical parameter” mapping paradigm that advances the engineering of quantum instruments and digital transformation of cultural heritage, thus facilitating the transition of music tools based on quantum gate simulation as a control paradigm from theoretical simulation to artistic practice.
This study focuses on optimizing quantum gate functionality and developing an automated composition controller for the Q1 quantum synth, originally developed by the Miranda team. By integrating nine types of quantum gates, including rotation and phase gates, and combining MIDI control with OSC/QASM protocols, a closedloop interactive system linking gesture input to quantum state processing to sound output was constructed. Utilizing Markov chain algorithms, the system supports diversified control from improvised timbre generation to structured music composition. This optimization overcomes the parameter adjustment limitations of traditional synths. Through open-source implementation and international performance demonstrations, the technical feasibility has been validated. It is crucial to clarify that the current system only achieves single-qubit state simulation, and the musical mapping of multi-qubit entangled states has not yet been realized—a key limitation to be addressed in subsequent research. The system is innovatively applied to classical and intangible cultural heritage music, offering a novel “quantum state–musical parameter” mapping paradigm that advances the engineering of quantum instruments and digital transformation of cultural heritage, thus facilitating the transition of music tools based on quantum gate simulation as a control paradigm from theoretical simulation to artistic practice.
Quantum computing and artificial intelligence, two prominent topics in science and technology, are rapidly advancing and extending their influence into numerous fields, including music. Quantum computer music, which merges the strengths of quantum computing and deep learning, heralds a new era in the integration of music creation with cutting-edge technology. The interactive quantum music composition “Spinnings—Q1 Synth Trio”, created by Brazilian composer Miranda during the QuTune project at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research (ICCMR), in collaboration with the University of Oxford, stands as a notable example of quantum computer music. This study adopts a case study approach to thoroughly investigate the technical creative process behind this work, covering elements such as quantum computing, quantum properties, qubits, quantum gates, and quantum circuits, gradually unveiling the mathematical logic behind quantum algorithmic composition. The results of this study indicate that quantum algorithmic composition, as an emerging approach to music creation, not only generates unique music through the characteristics of quantum computing but also offers new possibilities for the integration of music, art, and technology. By applying quantum bits, quantum gates, and quantum circuits, this research demonstrates how quantum computing can provide new theoretical foundations and practical methods for music composition. Furthermore, the study discusses how to optimize the interactive creative experience in quantum music works and how to enhance the understanding and appreciation of quantum music among a broader audience of musicians and listeners. With the continuous advancement of quantum computing technology, quantum music is poised to contribute a distinctive dimension to the global flourishing of musical culture. This research offers fresh perspectives and ideas for the development of this field.
This chapter examines the Variational Quantum Harmonizer, a software tool and musical interface that focuses on the problem of sonification of the minimization steps of Variational Quantum Algorithms (VQA), used for simulating properties of quantum systems and optimization problems assisted by quantum hardware. Particularly, it details the sonification of Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) problems using VQA. A flexible design enables its future applications both as a sonification tool for auditory displays in scientific investigation, and as a hybrid quantum-digital musical instrument for artistic endeavours. In turn, sonification can help researchers understand complex systems better and can serve for the training of quantum physics and quantum computing. The VQH structure, including its software implementation, control mechanisms, and sonification mappings are detailed. Moreover, it guides the design of QUBO cost functions in VQH as a music compositional object. The discussion is extended to the implications of applying quantum-assisted simulation in quantum-computer aided composition and live-coding performances. An artistic output is showcased by the piece \textit{Hexagonal Chambers} (Thomas and Itaboraí, 2023).
The rapid advancement of Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) devices has driven the need for efficient design automation tools that can translate complex engineering models into executable quantum circuits. This study explores the development of automated quantum circuit design frameworks focused on gate optimization and noise-aware compilation, enabling practical quantum computation for engineering applications such as optimization, simulation, and control systems. Traditional circuit design methods often fail to account for hardware constraints, decoherence, and gate infidelity, which significantly affect computational accuracy on NISQ devices. To address these challenges, this research introduces a hybrid automation approach combining quantum transpilation, variational circuit pruning, and error-aware synthesis algorithms to enhance circuit reliability and scalability. The framework integrates quantum-classical co-design principles to optimize both logical and physical circuit layers, leveraging hardware-specific calibration data to adapt compilation strategies dynamically. Through simulations and benchmark analysis, the proposed system demonstrates significant improvements in quantum resource utilization, error mitigation, and gate depth reduction compared to conventional compilation methods. This work underscores the growing importance of design automation in quantum engineering, where algorithmic efficiency must be harmonized with physical constraints to realize functional and scalable quantum workflows. By establishing a methodology for gate-level optimization and noise-adaptive design, the study contributes to bridging the gap between theoretical quantum algorithms and real-world engineering implementations within the NISQ computing era.
Quantum computing can be employed in computer-aided music composition to control various attributes of the music at different structural levels. This article describes the application of quantum simulation to model compositional decision making, the simulation of quantum particle tracking to produce noise-based timbres, the use of basis state vector rotation to cause changing probabilistic behaviors in granular harmonic textures, and the exploitation of quantum measurement error to cause noisy perturbations of spatial soundpaths. We describe the concepts fundamental to these techniques, we provide algorithms and software enacting them, and we provide examples demonstrating their implementation in computer-generated music
This work investigates a case study of using physical-based sonification of Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) problems, optimized by the Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) algorithm. The VQE approximates the solution of the problem by using an iterative loop between the quantum computer and a classical optimization routine. This work explores the intermediary statevectors found in each VQE iteration as the means of sonifying the optimization process itself. The implementation was realised in the form of a musical interface prototype named Variational Quantum Harmonizer (VQH), providing potential design strategies for musical applications, focusing on chords, chord progressions, and arpeggios. The VQH can be used both to enhance data visualization or to create artistic pieces. The methodology is also relevant in terms of how an artist would gain intuition towards achieving a desired musical sound by carefully designing QUBO cost functions. Flexible mapping strategies could supply a broad portfolio of sounds for QUBO and quantum-inspired musical compositions, as demonstrated in a case study composition, 'Dependent Origination' by Peter Thomas and Paulo Itaborai.
In this paper we present the Quantum Synth project, an interface between Qiskit and Max for controlling sound synthesis parameters encoded on the basis states of a quantum computer. This sound synthesis is obtained from the potential measured outcomes of a quantum circuit. The effects of using fundamental quantum operations as found in the Bell circuit, for the generation of entangled states, and the Grover's search algorithm have been demonstrated. The interface has been designed to be used by music performers and composers in their creative process, and as a resource to both learn Quantum Computing and analyze the intrinsic noise of real quantum hardware.