The Music

Sphaerosymphony’s music engine turns air quality data into generative soundscapes. Choose a sensor ID or click a hex on the map to hear the evolving composition.

Sensor ID:

Instrumentation Info

Chord: —

Guitar: —

Drums: —

Drum Level: —

Air Quality Map

How the Music Works

Sphaerosymphony turns live air quality readings into evolving soundscapes. Each sensor’s PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ data drives the instruments you hear — a musical portrait of local air quality.

🥁 Drums (PM₁₀ – Coarse Particles)

PM₁₀ controls the intensity of the Taiko‑inspired drum track:

0–6 µg/m³: the lightest pattern, a sparse beat
7–33 µg/m³: step‑by‑step the rhythm grows denser with extra strikes
34 µg/m³ and above: the heaviest, most forceful drum pattern

🎸 Guitar (PM₂.₅ – Fine Particles)

PM₂.₅ changes the guitar’s tone:

Below 5 µg/m³: a very light, sparse acoustic guitar part
5–15 µg/m³: fuller acoustic guitar phrases
Above 15 µg/m³: the system switches to 'nylon' guitar for a sharper edge
Above 20 µg/m³ (and PM₁₀ > 25): the guitar also shifts into minor patterns for a darker mood

🎹 Background Chords

Chords respond to the mix of PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀:

PM₂.₅ < 15 and PM₁₀ < 20: bright major chords
Otherwise: darker minor chords

These thresholds translate air quality into music — soft, open tones in clean air, heavier and darker layers when pollution rises.

PM₂.₅ & PM₁₀ – What the Levels Mean

PM₂.₅ (particles smaller than 2.5 microns) can reach deep into the lungs, even entering the bloodstream. PM₁₀ (particles up to 10 microns) mainly affect the nose and throat. Both are measured in µg/m³ (micrograms per cubic metre).

📏 Standards & Guidelines

WHO 2021: Daily average ≤ 15 µg/m³ (PM₂.₅), ≤ 45 µg/m³ (PM₁₀)
UK/EU: PM₂.₅ annual ≤ 20–25 µg/m³; PM₁₀ daily ≤ 50 µg/m³ (≤35 days/yr)

🌈 Colour Scale used for the hexagon tiles on the map

0–10 µg/m³: Good – clean, healthy air
10–20: Fair – still acceptable
20–50: Moderate – pollution noticeable
50–75: Poor – health impacts likely
75–100: Very Poor – unsafe for sensitive groups
100+: Extreme – hazardous air quality

The map colours and music follow these bands – green means cleaner air and lighter music, while red and purple mean heavier, harsher tones.