Explosions in the Mind: Composing Psychedelic Sounds and Visualisations

This book explores how to compose sounds and visualizations that represent psychedelic hallucinations and experiences of synaesthesia, providing conceptual approaches, theoretical insights, and practical strategies for unlocking new design frameworks.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 27 November 2022
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This captivating book delves into the art of crafting sounds and visualizations that capture the essence of psychedelic hallucinations and synaesthetic experiences. Through a comprehensive exploration of compositional methodologies and technical approaches, it seeks to educate students, practitioners, and researchers engaged in related fields. By seamlessly weaving together sound, visual design, and code across various media, the book offers conceptual frameworks, theoretical insights, and practical strategies to unlock new design paradigms for composing psychedelic sounds and visualizations.

The author begins by providing an introduction to the world of psychedelia, exploring its historical context, cultural significance, and the profound impact it has had on art, music, and consciousness. This sets the stage for the subsequent chapters, which delve into the technical aspects of creating psychedelic sounds and visualizations.

The book offers a comprehensive guide to various software tools, techniques, and methodologies used in sound design and visual programming. It covers a wide range of topics, including digital audio workstations, synthesizers, sampling, mixing, and effects processing. The author provides detailed explanations and practical examples to help readers grasp the intricacies of these tools and apply them to their own creative endeavors.

In addition to technical expertise, the book emphasizes the importance of artistic expression and creativity in the composition of psychedelic sounds and visualizations. It encourages readers to explore their own intuition, imagination, and emotional state while creating their work. The author offers guidance on developing a personal artistic style, experimenting with different techniques, and finding inspiration from a diverse range of sources.

Throughout the book, case studies and examples are provided to illustrate the practical applications of the discussed concepts. These examples showcase the work of renowned artists, musicians, and designers who have pushed the boundaries of psychedelic art and music. The reader is encouraged to analyze these examples, draw inspiration from them, and apply their own creative vision to their work.

Furthermore, the book explores the relationship between sound and visual perception, and how the two can be combined to create immersive and captivating experiences. The author discusses the principles of visual perception, color theory, and Gestalt psychology, and how they can be applied to the composition of psychedelic visuals. The book also touches upon the therapeutic potential of psychedelic experiences and how sound and visualizations can be used to support mental health and well-being.

In conclusion, this book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring the world of psychedelic sounds and visualizations. It provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the technical aspects of sound design and visual programming, while also emphasizing the artistic and creative aspects of this field. With its rich content, case studies, and examples, the book offers practical strategies and insights that can help students, practitioners, and researchers unlock new design frameworks for composing psychedelic sounds and visualizations. Whether you are a musician, artist, designer, or simply someone with a curiosity about the psychedelic realm, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding and appreciation of this fascinating and transformative art form.

Weight: 329g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811640575
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021