About eigensound|lab

eigensound|lab is an open-source research and education project exploring the intersection of mathematics, theoretical physics, and digital audio. Our main focus is sonification—the art of translating data and complex mathematical models into sound—alongside innovative alternative visualization techniques.

We dive deep into novel sound synthesis techniques inspired by the principles of quantum mechanics and general relativity. By leveraging concepts like eigenmodes, eigenvalues, and wave functions, we generate rich, complex sound structures and unique timbres.

This website is your central hub for interactive web applications showcasing our sonification and visualization experiments, research papers, and demonstration videos.

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Why "eigensound"?

The name "eigensound" is directly inspired by fundamental concepts in mathematics and physics: eigenvectors and eigenvalues.

Imagine a system, like a vibrating string or a quantum particle. When you apply an operation or a transformation to this system, it usually changes its state or direction. However, for certain special states, the system only scales—it gets stronger or weaker, but its fundamental character or direction remains the same. These special states are called eigenvectors.

The amount by which these eigenvectors are scaled is called their eigenvalue, where "eigen" is meaning its own, characteristic property. Think of it as a unique "fingerprint" or inherent characteristic of that specific state within the system.

We often use these concepts to model how complex systems behave and resonate; we translate these mathematical behaviors into sound, creating "eigensounds" that explore or interpret the intrinsic properties of the underlying data or physical models. While our interactive apps encompass a broad spectrum of mathematical and physical simulations and sonifications, including innovative visualizations of various phenomena, the core idea of uncovering these inherent "modes" and "characteristics" through sound remains a principle embedded in the very name eigensound.