Robert M Thomas

For Emergence, we worked with pioneering composer @robertthomascomposer , an expert in adaptive and generative functional music for health, building a composition which includes binaural beats, low-frequency drones, ASMR, and pink noise - elements known to support relaxation, trance states, and brainwave entrainment. In this Q&A, we spoke with Robert to find out more about his creative process and vision for this project, exploring how sound can support our wellbeing.

Robert M. Thomas is a composer who creates adaptive, real-time music experiences through custom software designs. His innovative approach combines experimental instrumentation and advanced production techniques, allowing music to respond dynamically to various contexts. Robert has worked with Wavepaths since 2019 and is a leading expert in generative, adaptive and interactive music. “Robert Thomas has been an invaluable force behind Wavepaths from the very beginning, serving as both a composer and system designer, and working closely with all our artists. It feels impossible to overstate the impact of Robert’s input, or the brilliance he brings to our technology, team, me, or our compositional processes. His unique blend of artistic and technical expertise has been influential in shaping our algorithmic and musical ecosystem, and his input has been foundational to bring my vision for Wavepaths to life.” - Mendel Kaelen, Founder of Wavepaths Follow & Tag someone in this post if you’ve enjoyed @robertthomascomposer and others in our ‘Artist Spotlights’ campaign. #wavepaths #wavepathsmusic #psychedelics #psychedelictherapy #musicforpsychedelictherapy #psychotherapy #composition #personcentred #clientcentred #humancentred #integrative #adaptive #music

Honoured to be part of the opening to this incredible work of art live experience by @massiveattackofficial @robert3delnaja @adam666curtis @unitedvisualartists Definitely the loudest system I’ve had one of my patches played on so far!

Was great to be part of this new showing of Present Shock 2

Our spine is designed to swim. 🐋 We are relearning from our distant cousins how to arch back, and trust to be carried by the swirls of water. As we dive into the rotations and spiral of our spine, the faint memory of our dorsal fins resurfaces. And so we plunge, reaching new depths of understanding into the traditions of the sea. 🌊 Collectively we create a net of air, hunting for a new rhythm of existence. ⏱️ 𝕯𝖊𝖘𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓 𝕰𝖆𝖗𝖙𝖍, a real-time performance into oceanic flows 🌊 A production by @cellule_studio . Art and movement direction: @salomebazin_ Composer: @robertthomascomposer Creative technologist: @random_noir Dataset technician: Silvano Imboden Curator and producer: @kilowatt.bo Computing partner: Cineca Scientific Adviser OGS: Stefano Salon, Alice Affatati, Chiara Scaini Scientific Adviser CMCC: Emanuela Clementi Styling: @rosiebroadhead_ Performers: @nico.moscatoo @semuurai @gretacolonna @valentina_sici @artfactoryinternational 🎥 @puntomov_milan #climatechange #performanceart #newmedia #newmediaart #generativesoundart #artandtechnology #DestinationEarth #arselectronica #oceanbreath #marineconservation #STARTSprizenomination #immersivemedia

𝔇𝔢𝔰𝔱𝔦𝔫𝔞𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫 𝔈𝔞𝔯𝔱𝔥 🌊 An invitation into the ocean’s breath 🐋 ıllıllı Music on ıllıllı 🔉 Beneath the global ocean’s surface is kept the secret of life on earth: ancient songs of whales, upwelling of phytoplankton and whispers of tides circulating half of the oxygen we breathe every day. 🌬️ In this moment of urgency, with warming waters impacting global circulation and sea mammal survival, 𝔇𝔢𝔰𝔱𝔦𝔫𝔞𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫 𝔈𝔞𝔯𝔱𝔥 invites us to pause and listen back to the deep and ancient pulse of the sea. From satellite data powered by Leonardo supercomputer, to real-time generative music and motion tracking capturing visitors movements, the artwork helps us get in tune with the rhythm of the sea. The ocean, like our bodies, needs time to heal. 🤍 And so, as we go through the exhibition, we slow our steps and movements. We stand still, giving the ocean the time it needs to recover its natural breath. 🌬️ A production by Cellule Studio. Art and movement direction: @salomebazin_ Composer: @robertthomascomposer Creative technologist: @random_noir Dataset technician: Silvano Imboden Curator and producer: @kilowatt.bo Computing partner: Cineca Scientific Adviser OGS: Stefano Salon, Alice Affatati, Chiara Scaini Scientific Adviser CMCC: Emanuela Clementi Styling: @rosiebroadhead_ Performers: @nico.moscatoo @semuurai @gretacolonna @valentina_sici @artfactoryinternational 🎥 @puntomov_milan #climatechange #performanceart #newmedia #newmediaart #generativesoundart #artandtechnology #DestinationEarth #arselectronica #oceanbreath #marineconservation #STARTSprizenomination #immersivemedia

🎉 We are thrilled to be premiering our latest deep dive into human breath, mammal migration and oceanic flows 🎉 DESTINATION EARTH 🌊 The show will premiere at @serramadre.art in Bologna next week ⁠ DATES: 12-15 September 2024 TICKETS: Free ticket in bio⁠. Performance at 8pm on the 12th, 13th, 14th. LOCATION: Serre dei Giardini, Serra Madre. ⁠ DESTINATION EARTH is a multi-sensory installation revealing the connection that ties atmosphere and ocean, humans and inhabitants of the sea. 🐋 🌊 As a general narrative the piece invites for a state of contemplation and stillness, with the speed and rate of human actions directly influencing the currents in the depth of the ocean. A beautiful journey working with @robertthomascomposer on generative composition, with audience movements influencing in real-time the music. On a large monolith can be seen poetic data visualisation of an important place of the earth: the Grand Banks where the labrador current (from the Arctic) and the gulf stream (from the Equator) meet. These oxygenated waters work in similar ways to our bloodstream, feeding oxygen-rich waters to the Arctic, Pacific and Indian Oceans- giving its name as ‘a lung of the ocean’. 🌏 With @random_noir , we have worked in collaboration with computer scientists at Cineca, oceanographers at CMCC and OGS to compile satellite data into 3d flow simulation. During the live, performers directed by @salomebazin_ will invite audiences during their visit to support the ‘regeneration’ of oceans through their slowed down walking pattern and breath. 🎉 Come to see the show on the 12th at serramadre.art from 5pm with a speech opening from Tim Ingold. 🌊 Open all day till the 15th, with live performances at 8pm on the 12/13 and 14th. Free ticket in link in bio. Art direction: @salomebazin Sound: @robertthomascomposer Creative tech: @random_noir Styling: @rosiebroadhead_ Curators: @kilowatt.bo , @quoartis Venue: @serramadre.art Video: @puntomov_milan Nominated @startseu #performanceart #newmediaart #generativesoundart #artandtechnology #DestinationEarth #arselectronica #oceanbreath #symbiocene #STARTSprizenomination #immersivemedia

Remembering 10 years ago when I made an interactive ambisonic sound installation at @imogenheap ‘s Reverb festival at @roundhouseldn . Members of the audience could speak into a microphone and which was feeding a procedural algorithm which sampled their voice and made crazy generative sounds from it and flew it around the space in ambisonics. It also drove an analysis algorithm which @mostlynoise made to control the tree lights. Fragments of audience messages recorded in #thelisteningchair were also incorporated into the soundscape

#Noise #Pollution & the #Psychoacoustic Potential of #Conscious #SoundDesign | Nature Effect Series In this particular installment, we’ll delve into the strategic potential of using nature as a reference and tool to successfully mitigate noise pollution in built environments. By the time you’re finished reading, you should have a strong foundation from which to draw inspiration, for building interiors that handle and redirect noise from a more humane perspective, to the benefit of all stakeholders. We’ll accomplish this by analyzing case studies of well-executed art experiences and installations from Joseph Dean @naturalsymphonylive , Robert Thomas @robertthomascomposer , Lachlan Turczan @lachlanturczan and Joshua Sam Miller @sounds.oftheocean . Each of these innovators provide us with a glimpse of what’s next in conscious sound design. @mr_arigami @arigami_org

I am honoured and proud to have composed music for the wonderful mapping “Structures of Being” by @sofiacrespo which will be shown at @casabatllo this weekend. I formed the piece by writing generative algorithms which made intricate harmonic textures evoking natural growth and the stages of Gaudi’s life and development as an artist. I used these as a palette to compose the piece. Then we recorded the brilliant @cosmosquartet and @juandela performing it with incredible passion in the amazing acoustic of @palaumusicacat Sponsored by @ise_show In collaboration with Fundació Barcelona Promoció, @palaumusicacat @bsc_cns Join us in person at Casa Batllo for the event this weekend or watch the live stream online - link in bio #casabattló #casabatllo #worldheritage #unesco #mapping #casabattlómapping #sofiacrespo #structuresofbeing #digitalart #generative #cosmosquartet #juandelarubia

I’m proud to have created the soundscape for this piece with @entangledothers at @nxtmuseum . Opens today! Link in bio

Great to hear @lydiaclowes on @brianeno @fredagainagainagainagainagain ‘s brilliant album