The apparatus highlights the possibilities of creating graphic form (Hoehn 2008) using Generative Theory combined with the maths and physics of beat tones - a phenomena that reveals itself acoustically between two sounds of slightly different frequencies (Truax 1999). Beat tones are often used by musicians as a means of testing tuning at simple harmonic intervals, in this project the beauty of these waves are examined as graphic form.

The drawings produced are a visual representation of the
interaction of two frequencies - more commonly referred to as sounds waves (Ashton, George et al 2001). Two discs orbit at angles to each other (which are defined by the user) as they move the pen plots the course that is specified, and as a result of this combined motion, form is output. If the ratio is changed between the frequencies the output in turn is modified. For instance the simplest patterns are drawn when the ratio of fraction frequencies are in unison i.e. 1:1, 2:1 3:2
and so on. To create more complex patterns one must 'dial in' slight changes in harmony to create 'near unison' output drawings.

The possibilities of graphic output using such a system is almost endless as the parameters that are specified by the design of the apparatus enable the user to make iterative changes within a set framework. In this instance the current routine allows for 6 million iterations.

Didymus One / Scuttlebots interview and feature in Issue 53 (October 2014) Design 360 Magazine China (Sandu Publishing).

• http://lccpgdesign.com/2011/content/stud...