The idea behind my project was to create a musical interpretation of a rubix cube solution.  The solver is a modified version of Cubie, an open-source java applet to solve and animate a rubix cube.  The original program and source can be downloaded here.

I modified to the program to include an “auto” setting where the cube repeatedly scrambles and solves itself.  At each step in the cube solution, the program communicates the axis and direction of the move using the Open Sound Control (OSC) protocol.   I used the Java OSC library in order to create OSC messages.

My modified source can be downloaded here.

I used Chuck to interpret the OSC messages.  In the first interpretation, the axis and direction was converted directly into a pitch as well as various parameters to change timbre.  In the second implementation, the moves had a less direct impact on the tune.  Instead the tune is played as a round and certain combinations of moves add another melody to the tune whereas others destroy a melody.  The result is an evolving harmony.

Interpretation 1:

Source

Example

Interpretation 2:

Source

Example

Videos: