Research on Autonomous Overtone Control
Edwin van der Heide (Media Technology research group)
When we describe and analyse sounds we can separate a sound in its individual overtones. This implies a hierarchy between sound and overtones. The research focusing on autonomous overtone control attempts to reverse this hierarchy and explores what consequences this approach has.
Overtones (or partials) are being approached as independent entities that can dynamically form certain relationships but also have an autonomous or 'in between' state. Furthermore they are spatially independent; every overtone can have its own position in space. A certain relationship of overtones can correspond to the overtones of a sound and therefore lead to its corresponding perception. Since the overtones are autonomous this should be seen as a temporary state with a specific order of the overtones that can be developing in any kind of direction and new possible order of overtones. Reversing the hierarchy between sound and overtones will lead to a level of control where the morphing of sound(s) becomes an inherent quality of the approach.
The research includes the development of models for dynamic overtone (partial) control. These range from hierarchical models via complex models, dynamic group based models and evolutionary models to completely autonomous models. The emphasis lies on the models that are not strictly hierarchical.
The models will be implemented as software based real-time audio synthesis engines. The results of the research will be submitted to conferences relating to the focus and context of the research. Furthermore the results are meant to form a starting point for artistic work and will be tested on their possible artistic applications and implications.