'Signal to Noise Loops v4', Video Sound Archive, Online

Signal to Noise Loops v4 is a piece of data-driven generative music. It is informed by principles and techniques from the fields of Sonification and Artificial Intelligence. The piece maps data from noise sensors placed around Dublin City to control a generative algorithm that creates the music. Data is mapped to control the sound synthesis algorithms that define the timbre of individual musical voices and data is also mapped to control post-processing effects applied to in the piece. The first movement consists of data recorded from noise level sensors around Dublin in March 2019. This is prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and the bustling nature of the city is well represented. The second movement consists of data recorded in March 2020 when restrictive and social distancing measures were introduced culminating in a full lockdown on March 27th. This section is notably more sedate. The piece was realized with Python for data handling and mapping, Ableton Live was employed as a sound server to generate musical materials and run a wide range of sound synthesis and post-processing elements. The visuals were designed in Processing with data handling and mapping again carried out in Python