ACQUISITION OF BIOLOGIC & PETRO-VOLTAIC EMANATIONS

Experimental objectives include the acquisition and sonification of plant and mineral signals deemed ‘nature intelligence’ which appear to have far different characteristics than noise associated with biological and mechanical processes. The “intelligent” signals often spontaneously become interactive with people and music. When processed with software packages like Abelton Live, these signals become extremely vivid and complex sonically.

IBVA

IBVA is a brain wave analysis hardware/software tool designed by our friend Masahiro Kahata. The frequencies and voltage measured by IBVA just happen to be in the same range of the voltages exhibited on the surface of certain plants and rocks. With two IBVA units measuring signals, we can mount displays comparing two sources, in real-time moving waterfall graphs. IBVA can simultaneously translate these voltages into midi, allowing two plants or rocks to be sonically processed as instruments or effects as a duet, while tracking their correspondences on a graph.

EVENTIDE HARMONIZER

We have been feeding the EVENTIDE HARMONIZER with voltage change signals.

MAX/MSP

Processing of signals obtained by the various sensors. Max/Msp is also used for sonification.

ABLETON LIVE

Ableton Live is used heavily in our sonification efforts.

WHEATSTONE BRIDGE

This bridge box, designed by Gordon Salisbury puts a small milli-voltage current through two electrodes attached to the leaf of a plant. After balancing, the meter (or graph) displays signals originating from within the plant. In turn, these voltages are amplified and turned into pitch shifts. Using two bridges allows plant responses to be compared side by side, what they react to, how frequently, and how individually.