86. Math, Music, and Artificial Intelligence - Levi McClain Interview (Final Part)

Help Support The Podcast by clicking on the links below: * Try out ZenCastr w/ 30% Discount   Use my special link to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan [https://zen.ai/1e7eBWWMLcSL_G10VxiSlQ] * Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/breakingmath] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@breakingmathpod] Transcripts are available upon request. Email us at BreakingMathPodcast@gmail.com Follow us on X (Twitter) [https://twitter.com/breakingmathpod] Follow us on Social Media Pages (Linktree) [https://linktr.ee/breakingmathmedia] Visit our guest Levi McClain's Pages:  youtube.com/@LeviMcClain [https://www.youtube.com/@LeviMcClain] levimcclain.com/ [https://www.levimcclain.com/] Summary Levi McClean discusses various topics related to music, sound, and artificial intelligence. He explores what makes a sound scary, the intersection of art and technology, sonifying data, microtonal tuning, and the impact of using 31 notes per octave. Levi also talks about creating instruments for microtonal music and using unconventional techniques to make music. The conversation concludes with a discussion on understanding consonance and dissonance and the challenges of programming artificial intelligence to perceive sound like humans do. Takeaways: * The perception of scary sounds can be analyzed from different perspectives, including composition techniques, acoustic properties, neuroscience, and psychology. * Approaching art and music with a technical mind can lead to unique and innovative creations. * Sonifying data allows for the exploration of different ways to express information through sound. * Microtonal tuning expands the possibilities of harmony and offers new avenues for musical expression. * Creating instruments and using unconventional techniques can push the boundaries of traditional music-making. * Understanding consonance and dissonance is a complex topic that varies across cultures and musical traditions. * Programming artificial intelligence to understand consonance and dissonance requires a deeper understanding of human perception and cultural context. Chapters 00:00 What Makes a Sound Scary 03:00 Approaching Art and Music with a Technical Mind 05:19 Sonifying Data and Turning it into Sound 08:39 Exploring Music with Microtonal Tuning 15:44 The Impact of Using 31 Notes per Octave 17:37 Why 31 Notes Instead of Any Other Arbitrary Number 19:53 Creating Instruments for Microtonal Music 21:25 Using Unconventional Techniques to Make Music 23:06 Closing Remarks and Questions 24:03 Understanding Consonance and Dissonance 25:25 Programming Artificial Intelligence to Understand Consonance and Dissonance

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Breaking Math is a deep-dive science, technology, engineering, AI, and mathematics podcast that explores the world through the lens of logic, patterns, and critical thinking. Hosted by Autumn Phaneuf, an expert in industrial engineering, operations research and applied mathematics, and Gabriel Hesch, an electrical engineer (host from 2016-2024) with a passion for mathematical clarity, the show is dedicated to uncovering the mathematical structures behind science, engineering, technology, and the systems that shape our future. What began as a conversation about math as a pure and elegant discipline has evolved into a platform for bold, interdisciplinary dialogue. Each episode of Breaking Math takes listeners on an intellectual journey—whether it’s into the strange beauty of chaos theory, the ethical dilemmas of AI, the deep structures of biological evolution, or the thermodynamics of black holes. Along the way, Autumn and Gabriel interview leading thinkers and working scientists from across the spectrum: computer scientists, quantum physicists, chemists, philosophers, neuroscientists, and more. But this isn’t just a podcast about equations—it’s a show about how mathematics influences the way we think, create, build, and understand. Breaking Math pushes back against the idea that STEM belongs behind a paywall or an academic podium. It’s for the curious, the critical, the creative—for anyone who believes that ideas should be rigorous, accessible, and infused with wonder. If you've ever wondered: * What’s the math behind machine learning? * How do we quantify uncertainty in climate models? * Can consciousness be described in AI? * Why does beauty matter in an equation? Then you’re in the right place. At its heart, Breaking Math is about building bridges—between disciplines, between experts and the public, and between the abstract world of mathematics and the messy, magnificent reality we live in. With humor, clarity, and deep respect for complexity, Autumn and Gabriel invite you to rethink what math can be—and how it can help us shape a better future. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Website: https://breakingmath.io [https://breakingmath.io/] Linktree: https://linktr.ee/breakingmathmedia Email: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com