Perception-based sound-color mapping

Abstract

This paper deals with the association of sound with color. While sound-to-color mapping has been of in-terest for a long time, no absolute final answer has been presented yet.

The aim of this research is to contribute to the exploration of cross-modal perception.

Since there is no absolute, common mapping between color (hue) and individual notes, this research was focused on the saturation/chroma association with individual notes, interval (both harmonic and melodic) and triads.

It was found that people tend to systematically associate individual notes, two-note intervals and triads with saturation of color in a linear way, based on the difference in octave range. Moreover, their associations showed the same tendency over time.

Also, characteristics of interval and triad did not have any significant effect on mapping results. Instead, it was because of the "average" register of intervals and/or triads that showed clear correspondence to the level of saturation.

This mapping can serve as one of the examples for further research and understanding of cross-modal perception and association processes from cognitive aspect, to explore whether there is correlation between auditory and visual cortices or not.