world of mouth is a fixed media 8-channel composition for a generative sound neural network and voice.

In world of mouth, I construct several sonic environments entirely out of gestures recorded with my own voice. These vocal gestures are used as guidance for a generative model trained on a sound library of percussion instruments and natural sounds.

The vocal gestures gave timbral and rhythmic shape to the generated sounds, which contain the sonic properties of the collected material (e.g. percussion + natural sounds), while still following the patterns of my voice. The result is a fascinating morphing process between sound textures: we can listen my vocal gesture give shape to the sound material, but eventually, the sound material bites back, imposing its own rhythmic properties into the resulting sound.

If you would like a copy of the 8-channel version, email me hugggofloresgarcia [at] gmail [dot] com.

premiered at Experimental Sound Studio (ess.org) in Chicago, IL on Feb 25th, 2024.

-- the mouth is the interface --

This piece is a result of my research work in generative modelling for sound (i.e. vampnet). Vampnet allows me to collect a large amount of sound material and converts it from a static sound into a malleable set of sound objects. With the model, I can mold and give shape to the sound materials I collected by way of other sonic gestures, like those that I can imitate with my mouth.

So for word of mouth, I collected natural and percussion sounds, trained a vampnet model of these sounds, and performed a set of gestures with my voice to guide the model.

The implications of this voice->generative model technique from a sound sculpting perspective are incredibly intriguing, and I hope this piece inspires people to try this technique in their own creative practice.

note: this is a binaural version of a work originally composed for an octophonic speaker system (four stereo pairs laid out in an octagon). for a better spatial experience, headphones are recommended. If you would like a copy of the 8-channel version, email me hugggofloresgarcia [at] gmail [dot] com.

composed and performed by Hugo Flores García. album artwork by Camilla Forte. special thanks to Chris Mercer for his guidance and advice while composing for an 8-channel loudspeaker system.