Colorful Tones: Inside the World of Gradient Synth
How the app synthesizes sound from color - bringing a new approach to sound design
Hello friends and fellow enthusiasts of blending technology with art! I'm excited to dive deeper into my latest creation, Gradient Synth. In this post we will explore how the app translates color to sound. Essentially: Gradient Synth transforms colors into music by mapping RGB (red, green ,and blue) values to the amplitudes of sound overtones using sine waves… let’s unpack that a bit shall we!
The Additive Synth Engine Explained
At the core of Gradient Synth is an additive synth engine. This means it generates sound by adding together simple sine waves, each at different frequencies and amplitudes, much like how an artist mixes colors to create new shades. In the case of Gradient Synth, these frequencies and amplitudes are derived from the colors themselves, making the process both unique and intuitive.
The Organ Connection
One of the inspirations for Gradient Synth comes from the grand, timeless organ. The beauty of an organ lies in its unique sound crafting ability, layering different tones and overtones to create a rich, resonant musical experience. In organs, this is often controlled by drawbars, which adjust the volume of these overtones, shaping the character of the sound. I found a parallel in this for Gradient Synth. Instead of drawbars, in my app, it's the colors that control the overtones, each hue bringing its unique frequency to the mix. This fusion of color science and sound engineering is what brings Gradient Synth to life, combining the principles of organ music with a vibrant, contemporary twist.
The Science Behind the Sounds
As I explored deeper into this project of translating color into sound, the fascinating world of color science became central to the design. Here's a bit of the science that's driving the Gradient Synth: colors are perceived based on their wavelengths, with red having the longest wavelength, followed by green, and then blue with the shortest. This natural order of wavelengths in light mirrors the structure of overtones in sound, with lower frequencies corresponding to longer wavelengths. In Gradient Synth I applied this science by aligning red with the first overtone (longest wavelength), green with the second, and blue with the third (shortest wavelength).

Crafting the Overtone Mix Fader
One of the most recent features I added in Gradient Synth is the 'overtone mix fader'. This element allows users to control how much the color overtones come through in the final sound output. It's gives the user more control over how much they can “hear the color” in their chosen sound. Listen in this video as the overtone fader moves up and down how the sound gets “brighter” - that is the addition of the overtones (higher notes) getting mixed into the fundamental pitch. Also listen to how white, red, green, and blue sound different because of the changing balance in the 3 overtones.
Why This Creation Resonates with Me
Creating Gradient Synth has been more than a project; it's been a journey of exploration and self-discovery. It combines my love for music, my fascination with color science, and my passion for technology. This app challenges the traditional boundaries of sensory perception, inviting users to explore a world where colors can be heard, and sounds can be seen.
The Journey Ahead
As I continue developing Gradient Synth, I'm excited about the endless possibilities it holds. Whether you're a musician, a tech enthusiast, or someone who's intrigued by the fusion of art and science, Gradient Synth offers a unique platform to explore and create. Stay tuned as I continue to work on and iterate this application as I will be looking for beta testers in the near future! Send me an email or message me on social media if you are interested.