WIRED
Meet the Man Making Music With His Brain Implant
Summary
Galen Buckwalter, a quadriplegic since age 16, is using his brain implant (Blackrock Neurotech) to create music with his mind. Working with Caltech researchers, he's developed an algorithm that translates his neural signals into musical tones by thinking about different movements. His punk band Siggy has incorporated these "neural music" tones into their latest album "Wirehead."
Key Insight: BCI technology isn't just for medical restoration—it's becoming a new medium for creative expression. Buckwalter emphasizes that for BCIs to succeed, they must be enjoyable to use, not just functional.
Key Details
- Hardware: Six Utah arrays (64 channels each) = 384 total neural channels
- How it works: Thinking about moving different body parts (toe, fingers) controls different tones
- Current capability: Two tones simultaneously; working toward "complete DJ booth from my head"
- Music: Song "Wirehead" uses neural-composed tones; album released March 15, 2026
- Research insight: BCI development should prioritize participant experience, not just medical outcomes