IMG_1405.mp4 – Link to video of the cat reacting to the music.

^ The track.

I have been curious about animals’ interpretation of human music for a while, so I designed a sound piece to be enjoyed by an animal, the house cat.

 I decided to lean into the frequencies indistinguishable from humans that cats can hear. Making this piece has been a useful exercise in applying my new knowledge on synthesis.

Unfortunately, I didn’t start recording the video early enough, you will just have to trust that the cat was in a playful yet violent mood until I played the track.

There is no real way I can know if the cat liked the track. but based on biology and what I know about cats, signs such as the cat’s ears twitching and, the cat’s calming temperament can indicate interest and possibly enjoyment.

I wanted to imitate sounds imperfectly, I felt that just compiling recordings of sounds I believe the cat likes would not be as interesting. By making sounds inspired by what I believe the cat enjoys there is an added interest on their behalf; the unfamiliar, undiscovered sounds.

Tracks within the track:

• Field recording of branches rustling
• High-pitched noise that reminded me of a cat toy – wavetable
• Low frequencies – wavetable
• Purring sound – operator 
• Meow-inspired sound – analog synth/ synth organ