Pixelsynth – a browser instrument that turns images into music
Pixelsynth is a browser instrument that turns images into music. You will have the opportunity create interesting sounds with all sorts of various pictures.
Pixelsynth was created by Olivia Jack, a US coder and is a browser instrument that allows you to make music using a library of pre-loaded pictures and you can even upload some of your own.
The cursor scrolls its way across a monochrome version of image and plays notes when it comes into contact with a light coloured pixel. The notes are harsh, wild, and erratic.
The note played by the Pixelsynth changes depending on the relative height. You can also modify the type of scale, starting note, starting octave, and the number of notes it plays.
The musical effect is a lot like the wild sequences you’d get from a modular synth than a classic keyboard, but it’s the kind of thing you would probably find yourself sampling if you wanted to create some crazy noise.
Pixelsynth comes with thirteen images but you will also be able to upload your own. This could be fun if you wanted to know what your face, bedroom, lounge, studio, or toilet sounds like.
The interface allows you to rotate the picture, you can also duplicate the image in a tiled style and even add spacing. If you have an afternoon to kill or just love messing around with new music production gimmicks then you would enjoy playing around with it.
Be warned though, these aren’t any sweet sounding melodies that will surprise and delight you. If you are looking to create a few hip hop or R n B sounding beats though, you can also play around with the Sampulator sequencer in your browser.
Check out Pixelsynth here for yourself and tell us what you think.
