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Music with unconventional computing: towards a step sequencer from plasmodium of Physarum polycephalum

  • Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research
  • University of Plymouth

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The field of computer music has evolved in tandem with advances made in computer science. We are interested in how the developing field of unconventional computation may provide new pathways for music and related technologies. In this paper, we outline our initial work into harnessing the behaviour of the biological computing substrate Physarum polycephalum for a musical step sequencer. The plasmodium of Physarum polycephalum is an amorphous unicellular organism, which moves like a giant amoeba as it navigates its environment for food. Our research manipulates the organism’s route-efficient propagation characteristics in order to create a growth environment for musical/sound arrangement. We experiment with this device in two different scenarios: sample triggering and MIDI note triggering using sonification techniques.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEvolutionary and Biologically Inspired Music, Sound, Art and Design - 4th International Conference, EvoMUSART 2015, Proceedings
EditorsAdrian Carballal, João Correia, Colin Johnson
PublisherSpringer
Pages15-26
Number of pages12
ISBN (Electronic)9783319164977
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2015
Event4th International Conference on Evolutionary and Biologically Inspired Music, Sound, Art and Design, EvoMUSART 2015 - Copenhagen, Denmark
Duration: 8 Apr 201510 Apr 2015

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume9027
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

Conference4th International Conference on Evolutionary and Biologically Inspired Music, Sound, Art and Design, EvoMUSART 2015
Country/TerritoryDenmark
CityCopenhagen
Period8/04/1510/04/15

Keywords

  • Biomusic
  • Bionic engineering
  • Computer music
  • Future music
  • Physarum polycephalum
  • Sonification
  • Step sequencer
  • Unconventional computing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Theoretical Computer Science
  • General Computer Science

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