# Introduction to Computer Music by Nick Collins

5 Hacker News commenters recommended Introduction to Computer Music by Nick Collins and 1 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 1 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** Recommended as a shorter, less intimidating alternative to the standard computer music bible; critics say it is more reference than starter guide.

## Why people recommend it

- Shorter, less intimidating than the bible (1 comments): "mercifully shorter and less intimidating than the must-have bible" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47645638))
- Looks exceptional to commenters (1 comments): "This contribution looks exceptional as well." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47645710))
- Seems fantastic, worth diving into (1 comments): "this seems fantastic and I'll definitely be spending some time diving in" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47645821))

## What people warn about

- Not a getting-started resource (1 comments): "These aren't resources for getting started. They're more like encyclopedias for learning about DSP and tech" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47646165))
- No mention of AI-generated music (1 comments): "it has zero mention of AI generated music" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47645766))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Computer Music Tutorial by Curtis Roads](https://hackerapproved.com/p/computer-music-tutorial.md): 5 recommend
- [Tuning, Timbre, Spectrum, Scale by William Sethares](https://hackerapproved.com/p/tuning-timbre-spectrum-scale.md): 3 recommend
- [Music Theory for the 21st-Century Classroom](https://hackerapproved.com/p/music-theory-for-the-21st-century-classroom.md): 3 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0471868396?tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link)
- [Bookshop.org](https://bookshop.org/a/130825/9780471868392) (affiliate link)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Introduction to Computer Music by Nick Collins", https://hackerapproved.com/p/introduction-to-computer-music/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).