Music with unconventional computing

a system for physarum polycephalum sound synthesis

Edward Braund

Eduardo Miranda

pp. 175-189

in: Mitsuko Aramaki, Olivier Derrien, Richard Kronland-Martinet, Sølvi Ystad (eds), Sound, music, and motion, Berlin, Springer, 2014

Abstract

The field of computer music is evolving in tandem with advances in computer science. Our research is interested in how the developing field of unconventional computation may provide new pathways for music and music technologies. In this paper we present the development of a system for harnessing the biological computing substrate Physarum Polycephalum for sonification. Physarum Polycephalum is a large single cell with a myriad of diploid nuclei, which moves like a giant amoeba in its pursuit for food. The organism is amorphous, and although without a brain or any serving centre of control, can respond to the environmental conditions that surround it.