The Semantic Machine

A location-aware music artwork

$0.99 · Designed for iPad. Not verified for macOS.

The Semantic Machine is a transmutable music artwork composed and performed by Tracy Redhead and developed in collaboration with Florian Thalmann. It is a song, or song system, that has been composed to change with the time of day, the weather, and the listener’s location. Like video game audio that adapts to gameplay, or a live performer who changes their performance in response to a venue, audience, or emotional state, The Semantic Machine changes according to the context in which it is experienced. There is no single fixed version. The song shifts from moment to moment, and the listener learns more about the work the more they listen. Essentially, this app is a new type of listening experience for a song. The Semantic Machine explores what recorded music can become when it is no longer fixed. It asks what changes, what remains, and how songs might behave when they are shaped by the world around us. The project began through a collaboration between Tracy Redhead and Florian Thalmann at Queen Mary University of London as part of the FAST project, and has since developed into a public-facing artwork and case study in transmutable music. Features include: • A dynamic song experience that changes with location, time, and weather • Authored musical variations across lyrics, harmony, texture, and mix • Storytelling through shifting lyrics, perspectives, and musical forms • A visual song-world that responds alongside the music • An Explore function that lets listeners hear versions shaped by different locations • A creative exploration of data, place, memory, and recorded music • No personal data is stored by the app The Semantic Machine is designed for listeners interested in music, sound art, adaptive audio, experimental songwriting, and possible futures for recorded music.

Ratings & Reviews

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Improved location permission handling, menu behaviour, and visual compatibility.

Version 1.1

The developer, Tracy Redhead, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

  • Data Not Collected

    The developer does not collect any data from this app.

    Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

    Accessibility

    The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More

    Information

    Seller
    • Tracy Redhead
    Size
    • 902.4 MB
    Category
    • Music
    Compatibility
    Requires iOS 15.6 or later.
    • iPhone
      Requires iOS 15.6 or later.
    • iPad
      Requires iPadOS 15.6 or later.
    • iPod touch
      Requires iOS 15.6 or later.
    • Mac
      Requires macOS 12.5 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
    • Apple Vision
      Requires visionOS 1.0 or later.
    Languages
    • English
    Age Rating
    13+
    Copyright
    • © Tracy Redhead and Florian Thalmann
  • Developer Website
  • Privacy Policy

    • Supports

    • Family Sharing

      Up to six family members can use this app with Family Sharing enabled.

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