NetLogo User Community Models

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Download If clicking does not initiate a download, try right clicking or control clicking and choosing "Save" or "Download".(The run link is disabled because this model uses extensions.)

WHAT IS IT?

This simulation creates music based on the patterns formed by the "Brian's Brain" cellular automaton.

HOW IT WORKS

When the "Update and Play" button is pressed, three things happen:
1) The pattern of cells is "played": an imaginary cursor starts at the left edge of the world, and for each blue and yellow cell, plays a note, with the note's pitch based on the cell's vertical height. Yellow cells generate square-wave tones, and blue cells generate sawtooth-wave tones. After a short delay, the cursor moves one columnn to the right.
2) The cells are updated according to the Brian's Brain ruleset.
3) The sequence starts again from Step 1.

HOW TO USE IT

Press "Setup." A random pattern of cells will be generated. Then press "Update and Play," and the cells will be played and updated until the button is pressed again. NOTE: The button will not "un-press" until the current "world" is finished playing, so just be patient.

THINGS TO NOTICE

Note how the simulation creates disorderly noise and first, then begins to sound a little more musical as the pattern of cells evolves.

THINGS TO TRY

Change the size of the world. Enlarging it horizontally will make each pattern play longer. Enlarging it vertically will allow a greater range of notes.

EXTENDING THE MODEL

It would be interesting to see what kinds of "music" are produced by different cellular automata, like the Game of Life, etc.

NETLOGO FEATURES

This model was only made possible by NetLogo's sound extension.

CREDITS AND REFERENCES

http://asymptote.wordpress.com