FractSynth: Exploring Glitch Timbres with Chaos Theory

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In this paper, I explore how chaos theory can be used to design a new kind of synthesizer with the primary focus of producing glitchy, unpredictable sounds. Glitch music embraces abstract sound design, malfunctioning electronics, and randomness as the main compositional elements. However, most synthesizers rely on stable, repetitive oscillators that often sound too controlled. To challenge this, I developed FractSynth, a real-time synthesizer that uses chaotic attractors–including the Logistic Map, Henon Map, and Lorenz System–as modulation sources for frequency, amplitude, and tone. The software also features real-time Lyapunov Exponent Tracking, which gives users a direct visual of how chaotic the engine is at any given moment. FractSynth performs efficiently in real time, even with complex continuous systems like Lorenz, making it usable both in performance and experimental sound design. The system brings together mathematics, creative coding, and audio synthesis into a single tool that bridges mathematics and emotion. As a creative experiment, I used FractSynth to help produce and enhance a harsh dissonant electronic rendition of one of my favorite jazz standards “My Funny Valentine”, a piece that transforms the original’s smooth harmony into something unstable, driven by chaos. This project isn’t just about exploring new glitch aesthetics; it’s also about showing how math, even something as complex as chaos theory, can become a medium for artistic expression. My hope is tools like FractSynth can inspire other students to see math not just as numbers, but as something you can hear, feel, and create with!

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