QuantaSonik
Tom Tlalim, Voldemars Johansons

quantaSonik is a performance and composition environment for organization of audiovisual processes using n-dimensional space as a control metaphor. The environment introduces a novel approach to control over masses of data deriving from granular synthesis concept, according to which sound, as matter, may be seen as consisting of tiny energy units or particles. The concept of a grain is applied to the QS data-space in form of a point. This point’s position in space represents a state of one instance of a grain, or any other singular synthesis process. Constellations of these points in turn form data-objects resulting in distinct sonic entities (presets). Alongside point position, behaviour algorithms may be used to define relationships between points in the data-object. Different patterns and behaviour algorithms are in turn mapped according to their similarity, which allows transitions between different data-objects and behaviours to occur along a timeline or in real-time. The data-object information is interpreted both in acoustic domain influencing synthesis processes, and rendered to the visual domain influencing the position of points along an n-dimensional matrix. The acoustic and graphical representation provides user feedback, allowing fast recognition of complex structured data objects, as well as artistically meaningful results. Space is a basic concept and entity used in the QS environment due to its familiarity to human perception largely by visual means. Any organization of matter in a space, physical or virtual, complex or simple, can instantly be recognized as a structure or form (abstraction process), thus greatly reducing the number of parameters involved in the perceptual process. QuantaSonik