---

Trawun is a networked real-time music performance system designed for distributed cognition and collaborative sound synthesis. It uses WebSockets to connect multiple performers together, each contributing to a shared sonic environment through a minimalist text-based syntax called SYNO.

Design Philosophy

Trawun and SYNO are designed around principles of:

1. Minimal Interface: Terse syntax reduces cognitive load during live performance
2. Loose Coupling: Modules interact via flexible interfaces, allowing “fuzzy” inputs
3. Emergent Complexity: Simple rules create complex sonic results through interaction
4. Distributed Cognition: Multiple performers contribute to a shared cognitive space
5. Non-Deterministic Aesthetics: Embraces “deviations, tiny errors, and fuzzy information”

Networked Music Performance

Trawun supports distributed musical cognition through:

1. Role-Based Participation: Conductors can control global parameters while performers contribute individual sounds
2. Real-Time Communication: All sonic events are broadcast to all participants
3. Shared Sonic Canvas: Each performer’s actions affect the collective sound space
4. Spatial Awareness: Normalized coordinate system maps performers in virtual space

This approach treats networked music as a form of distributed cognition where:

• Individual cognitive processes extend across multiple human actors
• The network becomes a medium for shared musical thinking
• Technology mediates between individual and collective musical expression
• The resulting music emerges from complex interactions rather than top-down design