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The Neurogranular Sampler (a musical software instrument)

The Neurogranular Sampler is a musical software instrument (an audio unit plug-in) which records sound and transmits grains from that recorded sound back when any one of a number of a network of artificial spiking neurons ‘fires’. Its primary research imperatives considered the possibility of the creation of a ‘music’ which was built from the mathematical physics of the synchronisation of pulse coupled oscillators to examine whether and how it might be possible to construct evolving instrumental machines probing the temporal zone between random time series and correlated rhythms. An early version of the Sampler was documented in 2005 (Miranda and Matthias 2005) but it developed significantly from early 2008 to include methods of temporal and textural controllability in which the use of spike timing dependent plasticity enabled the user to affect and adapt the rhythmic properties of the sound output. This was discussed in an article for Leonardo (Miranda and Matthias 2009). Employing an iterative design methodology, a user interface for a real time version of the instrument for use in live performance was developed by Matthias and colleagues in 2010-11. This methodology included the evaluation of artists and musicians (including Matthias) who worked creatively with the Sampler and fed back into its design. It also led directly to the making of numerous musical works and artworks which has in turn become part of the research dissemination process. The most significant of these are: The Overnormalizer, an installation by Matthias and Stanley Donwood at FIFTY24SF Gallery, San Francisco (2010); Ghost, an installation by Jane Grant at the Istanbul Biennial (2011); What Happens, a performance by Matthias, Adrian Corker and Andrew Prior at the Ecstatic Music Festival, New York (2011); and Eden, music for a dance theatre work written by Matthias and Prior (Royal Opera House, London, and touring, 2013)