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An executive master's programme thesis from Aalborg University
Book cover


Sporadic: Mycelial Delay Effect: Expressivity Through the Lens of Ecology

Translated title

Sporadic: Mycelial forsinkelseseffekt: Ekspressivitet igennem økologiens linse

Author

Term

4. Term

Publication year

2025

Submitted on

Pages

88

Abstract

Dette projekt præsenterer Sporadic, en biomimetisk lydprocessor, der oversætter mycelial netværksdynamik til forsinkelsesbaseret lydbehandling. Systemet adresserer centrale udfordringer inden for design af biomimetiske instrumenter: oversættelse af økologiske processer til musikalske parameterkortlægninger og balancering af autonom adfærd med brugerkontrol. Sporadic implementerer adaptive netværkstopologier, der afspejler mycelial adfærd og skaber nye forsinkelsesnetværk og dynamiske feedbacksystemer. Brugerevaluering med otte deltagere demonstrerer vellykket design med høje ratings for konceptuel integritet (6,12/7) og udforskningsbelønning (5,62/7). Dette arbejde etablerer designprincipper for biomimetiske instrumenter og demonstrerer, hvordan musikalsk interaktion kan tjene som en vej til forståelse af naturlige systemer.

This project presents Sporadic, a biomimetic audio processor that translates mycelial network dynamics into delay-based audio processing. The system addresses key challenges in biomimetic instrument design: translating ecological processes into musical parameter mappings and balancing autonomous behaviour with user control. Sporadic implements adaptive network topologies that mirror mycelial behaviour, creating novel delay networks and dynamic feedback systems. User evaluation with eight participants demonstrates successful design, with high ratings for conceptual integrity (6.12/7) and exploration reward (5.62/7). This work establishes design principles for biomimetic instruments and demonstrates how musical interaction can serve as a pathway for understanding natural systems.