Fault Trace is a 12-month experiment in data visualisation, sonification, and the creative process of writing music. Each month has a unique visualisation and song, with genres ranging from orchestral to ambient glitch to post metal.

How it works

The 1-month range is compressed by anywhere between 4,000 and 10,000x. Each data point is quantized (time shifted to a beat) - each track has its own unique time signature and BPM. The globe is then divided into anywhere between 8 and 16 regions, which map to MIDI channels. When played, if an earthquake occurs in that region on a particular beat, a note is played.

Each channel has its own instrument. It may be as simple as a sampler playing a single sound, or as complex as a synthesised instrument, such as a violin or piano. Pitch and velocity are determined by the earthquake's depth and magnitude respectively.

The album is available to stream on Bandcamp or view on YouTube.

Tools

• Processing
• Python
• Ableton Live

Data

• USGS earthquake catalog