12/01-14/01/2018
Workshop at the Hybrid Lab TU/UdK Berlin
on Composition of Space with Sculptural Sound Objects
Content and speakers
- Concepts and technologies of spatial sound reproduction by Prof. Dr. Stefan Weinzierl, FG Audiokommunikation, TU Berlin
- Introduction to the operation and control of compact loudspeaker arrays by Dr. Frank Schultz, sonible GmbH, Graz)
- Space composition and sculptural sound objects by Dr. Gerriet K. Sharma, IEM/OSIL, University of Arts Graz)
Electronic music and computer music has so far opened up space as a compositional dimension mainly through multi-channel loudspeaker systems configured as an acoustic outer shell around the audience. The workshop, on the other hand, sees itself as an introduction to an aesthetic practice that composes space by taking it as a prerequisite for sonic-sculptural material, thereby artistically incorporating performance environments of varying complexity.
In the course of the workshop, electro-acoustic space-sound phenomena, plastic sound objects, which occur in certain sound (re)production processes, will be theoretically motivated and experienced in practice with regard to their acoustic foundations and artistic po(e)tential. The icosahedral loudspeaker (IKO) is used as an acoustic tool and musical instrument – a compact, 20-channel loudspeaker system developed at the Institute of Electronic Music and Acoustics (IEM) at the University of Art and Design Graz.
In comparison with space-sound reproduction methods such as multi-channel stereophony, wave field synthesis and Higher Order Ambisonics, selected artistic works will be used to explore the extent to which a “Shared Perceptual Space” can be found where the perceptions of composers, scientists, engineers and the public overlap. The participants will thus have the opportunity to compare the most important current sound projection techniques conceptually and aesthetically by means of exemplary compositions and their own experiments.
The difficulty of a verbal description of the generated space-sound objects will also be addressed. The workshop provides an overview of existing terminologies and their use in sound art, musicology and acoustics.
After a joint introduction to its use, the participants will have the opportunity to realise their own sound experiments with the IKO. For this purpose, the virtualised IKO (vIKO) will also be introduced, which enables an auralisation of spatial performance situations by means of headphone-based binaural synthesis.
04/06/2018 - 12-3 p.m. / 04-8 p.m.
05/06/2018 - 12-3 p.m. / 04-8 p.m.
06/06/2018 - 12-3 p.m. / 04-8 p.m.
07/06/2018 - 10-2 p.m.
Master class by Gerriet K. Sharma and Frank Schultz
on Composing with Sculptural Sound Phenomena in Virtual Auditory Environments
Covered Topics
- Artistic and technical concepts of spatialized computer music history
- Introduction to spatial audio technologies (WFS, VBAP, HOA, IKO)
- Introduction to the compositional process with the electroacoustic instrument IKO
- Spatial composition, and aspects of sculpturality and instrumentality in 3D audio
Outcome
- Theoretical and practical skills for composing sculptural sound phenomena in different loudspeaker environments
- Elaborating skills of independent working with the binaurally virtualized IKO (vIKO)
- Documented and commented literature catalogue
Absract
In electronic music and computer music space as a compositional dimension was mainly examined by the use of multi-channel loudspeaker systems arranged around the audience producing an acoustic hull.
The master class introduces an aesthetic practice that composes space by understanding “it” as a prerequisite for the perception of sonic-plastic material - therefore exploring different, complex performance situations and environments from an artistic point of view.
In the cause of the master class electro-acoustic sound phenomena - so-called plastic sound objects - that appear within certain sound (re-)production systems shall be examined in respect to their acoustical principles as well as their artistic potential for contemporary “spatial practices”. As an acoustical tool and musical instrument the icosahedral loudspeaker (IKO by IEM and sonible) will be utilized. In comparison to other space-sound-reproduction systems like Quadrophony, Wave-Field-Synthesis and Higher Order Ambisonics and the discussion of selected media-specific compositions the question will be raised whether a “Shared Perceptual Space” can be described, wherein the perceptions of composers, scientists, engineers and audiences might overlap.
Therefore, participants will be able to compare state-of-the-art sound projection systems by means of exemplary works and their own experiments - conceptionally and aesthetically.
The master class is conveying an overview to existing terminologies and their use in sound art, musicology and acoustics. Participants will have the opportunity to realize own sound experiments with the HOA and the IKO. For the latter the binaural virtualization IKO (vIKO), i.e. an auralization of different spatial performance situations using binaural synthesis will be introduced.
14/04/2018
IEM Graz
AES 144 IKO-tutorial by Gerriet K. Sharma on
How sound beams become sound sculptures