Circle maps

Elektronauts Our Music
#1

Here’s a patch on a Digitone using Pure Data to create melodies from a circle map. You can read about circle maps here: http://mathworld.wolfram.com/CircleMap.html

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#2

nice tune and visuals, the maths is way over my head though. is the circle map being used to generate the midi data?

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#3

Thanks! I’ve been having fun with the visuals using Hyperspektiv.

Yes, the circle map is used to generate the midi data. Circle maps are used to describe various dynamic systems; for example, a free-spinning wheel weakly coupled by a torsional spring to a motor.

In certain regions, the equation can “lock on to itself” and generate a somewhat chaotic circle. Each generated numerical value from the circle is then scaled and mapped onto a pentatonic musical note. Each note value is sent out as midi to create a melody.

Different regions of the equation lock on to different chaotic circles. In some regions the chaotic circles slowly evolve, making for a developing melody. So, you have a generative tune that goes on forever. Fun.

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#4

Forgot to say that, the notes coming out aren’t random, but follow the behavior of a physical dynamic system.

#5

I understand it better now. That’s really interesting, what a cool idea for a note generator! Interested to hear more experiments using this concept.

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#6

Super deep and explorative!
Nice work and thanks for sharing.

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#7

Here’s another one like Circle maps, but using the map of the Mandelbrot set with random rhythms. The chaotic oscillations just outside the set are mapped onto a scale to generate musical notes.

Wife said these are all starting to sound the same, so I’m going to stop making these.