Domestic Pig and Wild Boar DNA Project

These two pieces were experimental compositions written to demonstrate the ways that data can be sonified and used in composition. My sonification uses the DNA, protein, and population data for two different animals, the domestic pig, and the European wild boar. The goal of my sonification was to create a song or audio experience that could be used to compare and contrast these two animals.

 

I found DNA and protein data on the National Library of Medicine website. This source could be used to create sonifications for almost any animal or living thing. I found U.S. domestic pig population data from the years 2000 to 2022 using the website, Statista. Lastly, I found the European wild boar population data from the years 2000 to 2022 in a scientific review by Dr. Jurgen Tack. 

 

I mapped the data for the domestic pig and the European wild boar the same so that they could be effectively compared. For the DNA I converted the data using codons and then mapped the pitch using the division algorithm for pitches between 40 and 70 in the midi musical range. For the rhythm of the DNA, I used the same DNA data converted to codons and then mapped the data using the division algorithm between the ranges of 2 and 8 on the rhythmic scale. For the protein portion of this project, I mapped the pitch using the division algorithm for pitches between 30 and 40 in the midi musical range. For the rhythm of the protein, I used the same data and mapped the data using the division algorithm between the ranges of 2 and 8 on the rhythmic scale. Lastly, I mapped the population data to three different ranges to create a chordal texture and really emphasize this data as it is the only one that changes through time against the backdrop of the DNA and protein data. The population data’s pitch is mapped using the division algorithm for pitches between 20 and 40, 40 and 60, and 60 and 80 in the midi musical range. For the rhythm of this population data, I used the same data and mapped the data using the division algorithm between the ranges of 4 and 8 on the rhythmic scale. As previously stated, all of these data parameters are exactly the same for both the domestic pig and the European wild boar sonification. The only difference between these two sonifications is that the scale used for the domestic pig data is the F pentatonic 2 scale and the scale used for the European wild boar data is the F pentatonic 1 scale. I think this added just a slight contrast between the two sonifications while still being able to compare and contrast the two. 

 

My sonifications use the same instrumentation for both projects and pig types. The DNA data is sonified using a vibraphone, the protein data is played on upright bass, and the population data is played on an afro-cuban piano. I also added ornamental drums that are not data derived but simply enhance the data being sonified. 

 

This project was very successful and I imagine this sonification being used in museums or other animal exhibitions so that viewers could see an exhibit about these animals and then listen to the sonification to have a more rounded and in-depth experience with the information and animals. This idea could also be utilized for many different animals or to sonify historical events using the data about these events.