I’ve never seen synthesis done like this before. Here, I’m making modular techno from image pixels—literally. In this example, I’m taking Van Gogh’s Starry Night, converting the image into sound, and using that sound as voltage to control a modular synth array in VCVRack.
I know programs like Metasynth can turn images into sound, but I’ve never seen anyone take it further by using that sound as a voltage control for a modular system. Have you? If so, drop a comment or DM me—I’d love to see how others are exploring this technique!
Sonification is the process of taking data and turning it into audio. Scientists use it to monitor and analyze changes in biology, matter, and more. Or you can be me, and reduce this profound scientific tool into making techno from plants.
#sonification #ambienttechno #technoproduction #plantwave #vcvrack
Not to sound self important but I think I invented a new take on synthesis (not new form, new take). I searched far and wide and can't find anyone doing anything like this. I used Google, ChatGPT, socials - the works - to hunt down something like this and turned up nothing. If you know of someone doing this, I would love to know but until then, I think this technique is new.
Sure, artists have used things like MetaSynth and other software to create sound from images but using visual art as a modulator? That's new from what I can tell. Let me explain.
Here, I converted image pixels into voltage to modulate a synth and create the ambient piece you hear in the background.
First, I converted the painting Red Meryl by Barbara Takenaga into sound using the software AudioPaint (which isn’t novel - it’s used all the time). This software creates a soundscape that directly reflects the visual content of the image, which you can see in the spectrogram displayed in the video. I even play it back in the video so you can hear what it sounds like raw.
Now this is the new part… Notice how the sampler patches to all these different synth modules?
That’s the waveform's voltage interacting with the rest of the synth, creating this ambient, swirling, fluid sound, not too dissimilar from the painting itself.
In essence, it is acting as a silent modulator, dictating how the synth sounds.
Pretty unique, no?
Thanks to @electronicgroove for premiering the @user_experience_joefarr remix of “Jet” on its channels.
Words from the article:
“JoeFarr’s remix of FCKDSKO’s Jet takes a burner of a hypnotic techno track and transforms it into a driving, breaks-laden roller with warm reese bass and lush pads.
Support from Laurent Garnier, Ben UFO, R/D/V, fd, Remy Unger, Drumcomplex, Takaaki Itoh, Vinicius Honorio, Pacou, Enrico Sangiuliano, and more.”
Excited to announce that I commissioned my first remix from @user_experience_joefarr . It’s received amazing support from Laurent Garnier, Ben UFO, Ame, Tensal, and many more.
When I was a music journalist, I covered Joe‘s True Peak Limit album on Max Cooper’s Mesh. It was made mainly by manipulating field recordings he took during an English train ride. The result is not what you’d expect at all.
Naturally, I when figuring out who I wanted to remix this track, I thought of him.
Drumcomplex’s feedback describes the track perfectly - “Oh wow, that’s huge.” This is brought out by Joe’s detailed mixing and mastering, which he is well respected for (if anyone is looking).
Track is out everywhere.
This Thursday, I’ll be playing a live ambient set through Funktion-1s.
Overkill, you say? Nah…
Experiencing ambient music on a large sound system is a high I’ve been chasing ever since I heard it the first time. It's a full-body, low-end experience that, to this day, I haven’t experienced in any other genre. The way the bass touches every inch of your being is almost spiritual.
In other words, I didn’t get into ambient music because it’s soft. I got into it because it’s exhilarating.
@offthesky (live) and @follower.den (vinyl setbreaks)
Thursday, 7-10PM, @quiterightrecords
- Food
- NA elixirs
- coffee bar
Tickets are cheap. Come chill.
One thing we hear often is that people would come to the producer meetup but they feel like they aren't experienced enough, or haven't produced anything in a minute, and therefore would feel out of place.
There are people who show up every meetup who are far less experienced and they keep coming back because it's not about showing off; it's about love for music and community.
We're back this Thursday at 4800 Washington St. 7-10pm. Come as you are and just hang out.
What do you say?
Relinquish ⚠️
Next Thursday, April 30 | 7–10 PM
Step into an immersive evening of live ambient music and curated DJ sets designed to help you let go.
Featuring:
Offthesky
Fckdsko
Alex Whittier
Experience a full sensory environment with visuals by @mynusme_art and a 5-point hybrid Funktion-One sound system by @40hzofsound
Enjoy NA elixirs, a coffee bar, food pop-up, and snacks—this is a fully alcohol-free gathering. Seating and standing room available, plus free filtered water throughout the space.
About Relinquish:
To relinquish is to release—control, tension, expectation. Ambient sound invites you to soften your grip, drift without pressure, and exist without demand. Whether it feels like relief or loss, the space is yours to surrender.
Track ID: Offthesky- Falling Up
Link in bio for tickets or go to QuiteRight.net
#quiteright #music #denver #relinquish
Hello, friends and foes. I have a new EP out today on @blacksine_org titled “Jet Spinner”. 2 ambient tracks, 2 techno burners.
Expect reverberant, cold hypnotic tones, and lush soundscapes for the ambient tracks, Terminal A and Terminal B.
The first techno track, Spinner, is a melted, mid-paced psychedelic groover.
The final one, Jet, is like a blowtorch piercing a hypnotic thundercloud.
Support from Justine Perry, Casual Treatment, Hypnotic Black Magic, Remy Unger, Kmyle, Takaaki Itoh, R/D/V, Craig Placid, Charlton Ravenberg, Hd Substance, and more.
Tracklist:
1. Terminal A
2. Spinner
3. Terminal B (ambient)
4. Jet
Available everywhere.
