Introduction to Computer Music
Introduction to Computer Music by Nick Collinsby Nick Collins
Tied for most recommended of 4 music theory books
Recommended as a shorter, less intimidating alternative to the standard computer music bible; critics say it is more reference than starter guide.
Recommended as a shorter, less intimidating alternative to the standard computer music bible; critics say it is more reference than starter guide.
6 people gave an opinion
- recommend it
- 5
- criticize it
- 1
- approval share
- 83%
Recommended in 1 of 13 months
- November 2025: not recommended
- December 2025: not recommended
- January 2026: not recommended
- February 2026: not recommended
- March 2026: not recommended
- April 2026: recommended
- May 2026: not recommended
- June 2026: not recommended
- July 2026: not recommended
- August 2026: not recommended
- September 2026: not recommended
- October 2026: not recommended
- November 2026: not recommended (month in progress)
Why it doesn’t carry the badge
- 5 people recommend itNeeds 10 or more, not met.
- 5 recommenders for every criticNeeds 2 to 1 or better, met.
- Recommended in 1 of 13 monthsNeeds 4 or more, not met.
The same three rules apply to every product, and the badge can’t be bought. How the badge works
What people say about it
The reasons people give, with the number of comments that give each one. Open a reason to read what they said.
Why people recommend it
Each mark is one comment
Shorter, less intimidating than the bible
“mercifully shorter and less intimidating than the must-have bible”
Comment from 5 Apr 2026 in “Introduction to Computer Music [pdf]” Looks exceptional to commenters
“This contribution looks exceptional as well.”
Comment from 5 Apr 2026 in “Introduction to Computer Music [pdf]” Seems fantastic, worth diving into
“this seems fantastic and I'll definitely be spending some time diving in”
Comment from 5 Apr 2026 in “Introduction to Computer Music [pdf]”
What people warn about
Each mark is one comment
Not a getting-started resource
“These aren't resources for getting started. They're more like encyclopedias for learning about DSP and tech”
Comment from 5 Apr 2026 in “Introduction to Computer Music [pdf]” No mention of AI-generated music
“it has zero mention of AI generated music”
Comment from 5 Apr 2026 in “Introduction to Computer Music [pdf]”
Other music theory books people recommend
The three most recommended other music theory books, with the same counts for each, so you can compare like for like. The tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs.
| Product | Recommend | Criticize | Approval | Months | Owned | Badge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Computer Musicby Nick CollinsThis page | 5 | 1 | 83% | 1 | — | — |
| Computer Music Tutorialby Curtis Roads | 5 | 1 | 83% | 4 | — | — |
| Tuning, Timbre, Spectrum, Scaleby William Sethares | 3 | 0 | 100% | 1 | — | — |
| Music Theory for the 21st-Century Classroom | 3 | 5 | 38% | 1 | — | — |
What people said
5 of the 6 comments that mention it, newest first. Each links to the original comment.
“These aren't resources for getting started. They're more like encyclopedias for learning about DSP and tech”
“this seems fantastic and I'll definitely be spending some time diving in”
“it has zero mention of AI generated music”
“This contribution looks exceptional as well.”
“mercifully shorter and less intimidating than the must-have bible”
Counts come from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026. How we count. Report a mistake.