Song Portraits is a generative art series made with Processing that explores the utilization of sound as an artist’s brush. My algorithm takes a music file in as an input, and draws the corresponding sound wave when a beat is detected. The opacity of the stroke is correlated to the the amplitude of the sound wave. The color mapping is dependent on the Fast Fourier Transform of the sound wave. The overlapping sound wave brush strokes result in stunning visual patterns.

Final Song Portrait series. Each column features input songs from one musical artist. From left to right: Kishi Bashi, ZZ Top, Nujabes, Snoop Doggy Dogg, and Emiliana Torrini.

And the Source Was Your Laughter
Input: Kishi Bashi – It All Began With a Burst

Driftin’ Away Like a Feather in Air
Input: Nujabes – Feather

Silk Suit, Black Tie
Input: ZZ Top – Sharp Dressed Man

And When It Stops, It Stops
Input: Emiliana Torrini – Heartstopper

Bowwowwowyippyyoyippyyay
Input: Snoop Doggy Dogg – Who Am I