A Spherical Tape Topology for Non-linear Audio Looping

Kevin Blackistone

Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression

Abstract

There have been many physical design formats used in the field of audio recording. As audio has an inherently a linear, time-based structure, these have generally followed logical layouts such as tape, or grooved records and cylinders. This project explores magnetic recording technology and digital analogues for recording and playback that are instead on spherical topology. This instrument expands the concept of the audio loop through a more tangible and randomized approach than traditional record playback techniques of tape, while maintaining a familiarity with historic techniques of audio looping and scrubbing. Through it, one can not only create linear time-loops but blends between different times of the recording non-sequentially. The size and mass of the spheres enhances the performative elements through the physics of inertia. The movement possibilities allow for non-linear circles, circuits, spirals and other patterns of sound not traditionally possible through linear tape or digital loop, including accelerations and decelerations – akin to a turntable, but with greater freedom of direction, thus offering surreal record/playback possibilities.

Citation

Kevin Blackistone. 2025. A Spherical Tape Topology for Non-linear Audio Looping. Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15698932 [PDF]

BibTeX Entry

@article{nime2025_68,
 abstract = {There have been many physical design formats used in the field of audio recording. As audio has an inherently a linear, time-based structure, these have generally followed logical layouts such as tape, or grooved records and cylinders. This project explores magnetic recording technology and digital analogues for recording and playback that are instead on spherical topology. This instrument expands the concept of the audio loop through a more tangible and randomized approach than traditional record playback techniques of tape, while maintaining a familiarity with historic techniques of audio looping and scrubbing. Through it, one can not only create linear time-loops but blends between different times of the recording non-sequentially. The size and mass of the spheres enhances the performative elements through the physics of inertia. The movement possibilities allow for non-linear circles, circuits, spirals and other patterns of sound not traditionally possible through linear tape or digital loop, including accelerations and decelerations – akin to a turntable, but with greater freedom of direction, thus offering surreal record/playback possibilities.},
 address = {Canberra, Australia},
 articleno = {68},
 author = {Kevin Blackistone},
 booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression},
 doi = {10.5281/zenodo.15698932},
 editor = {Doga Cavdir and Florent Berthaut},
 issn = {2220-4806},
 month = {June},
 numpages = {5},
 pages = {468--472},
 title = {A Spherical Tape Topology for Non-linear Audio Looping},
 track = {Paper},
 url = {http://nime.org/proceedings/2025/nime2025_68.pdf},
 year = {2025}
}