Umbra: a generative instrument that turns Jupiter's Galilean moons into music
teropa · x · 2026-10-23
Developer Jeff Walls released Umbra, a browser-based generative music instrument built on the orbits of Jupiter's Galilean moons — each time a moon slips behind Jupiter, it triggers a note, so differing orbital periods weave ever-shifting rhythmic patterns. The same orbital sound engine is extended to several other planetary systems, alongside wind and tide versions. The site offers controls for reverb, delay, tape effects (wow/flutter/age/drive), speed, clock base (including Jupiter's day), MIDI, and lets you export the current orbit-score as PNG/SVG.
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