Synesthesizer
by Zach Westerman
Synesthesizer is an audio/visual sculpture powered by two keyboards, a computer and a well-positioned video projector. The sculpture, situated at the far end of the room, is made up of 50 white cake boxes. The computer routes MIDI data from the keyboards, assigns each note a color, and then sends it out the projector.
When the user pushes a key on the keyboard, it sounds a note and the respective box will light up within the structure. A box will stay lit until the key is released, and each key has a different color from the spectrum. If the user cycles through an octave, they will have cycled through the spectrum as well. The keyboard on the left controls the left side of each box, while the keyboard on the right controls the right side. The only way to get a box to light up completely is if both users are pushing the same key at the same time. The keys are also pressure-sensitive; the harder the user hits the key, the brighter the box will light up. If the user moves the pitch bend wheel while holding a key, the color of the box will shift as well as the sound of the note.
An image paired with a sound can produce a profound result; it’s interesting how one stimuli can affect the other. I have long been interested in the element of synchronicity, especially the juxtaposition of audio and video. My piece attempts to explore the relationship between sound and light, giving the user control by means of a musical instrument.
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