Synesthia: Real-Time Visual Autonomy for Musicians by Cyrus Bahram
Files
Abstract
In the modern lighting and stage visuals landscape, sophisticated presentations often require a combination of skilled operators, MIDI triggers, pre-programmed cues, and click tracks to function. Not only does this cost-restrict emerging artists from realizing their full visual potential, but it also limits any group’s creative autonomy by binding advanced production to rigid tempo or MIDI input. This project aims to create an alternative system, allowing musicians to become their own visual designers through an innovative and automated system. By using machine learning and audio analysis, this software responds to musical elements such as rhythm, harmony, and structure to accurately predict and adjust lighting in real time without a metronome. Through sound analysis tools like Librosa, musical transitions are mapped to predetermined DMX lighting and generative visuals, allowing a performer to create dynamic and expressive visuals of their own choosing. Prior to a performance, an artist would load their track to this software and assign colors, effects, and moods to different sections. The system handles synchronization automatically, requiring no coding experience. The end result is a structure-aware predictive performance engine that merges technology and art, giving performers the ability to create immersive stage visuals with minimal setup.
Publication Date
7-1-2026
Campus
Valencia (Spain) Campus
Keywords
DMX; Lighting; Librosa; Python; Real-Time Systems; Visuals; LED; Projector
Recommended Citation
Bahram, Cyrus, "Synesthia: Real-Time Visual Autonomy for Musicians by Cyrus Bahram" (2026). Music Production, Technology, and Innovation. 450.
https://remix.berklee.edu/graduate-studies-production-technology/450