Signal-Aware Spatial Positioning (2014) | Christopher Latina

ABSTRACT

The currently available tools for the spatial composition of music are limited in multiple ways. Simple panning tools or mixer-based manipulation techniques are often tedious to use and do not scale to different loudspeaker configurations. This paper presents a signal-aware spatial positioning technique that extends the functionality of these traditional approaches. Using spectral and rhythmic features from the input, the movement and positioning of sound in space can be automated and is both signal-adaptive and user-interactive. The employment of ambisonics allows for easy scalability. A software prototype illustrates an interface for composition, performance, or installation as a basis for further exploration within the domain.

Keywords

NIME, Spatial Composition, Signal-aware, Ambisonics,

ATK, SuperCollider

1. INTRODUCTION

Multichannel spatialization can create complex movement of sound and add an additional compositional dimension. John Chowning’s 1972 piece titled Turenas explored spatialization within a quadraphonic setup [1]. Chowning discusses using angular cues rather than channel mixing to move sound [2]. V. Pulkki’s Vector base amplitude panning extends Chowning’s panning control function approach for pair-wise and triplet-wise amplitude panning [3]. These ideas inspired the following objectives which led research methodology and software programming decisions. The focus of this work was on creating a deliverable software prototype for spatial composition.

• Design a multichannel and real-time panning system that uses modulation signals or waveforms to move sound in space independent of the loudspeaker configuration.

• Explore meaningful audio feature-based mappings to modulate spatial position of signal.

• Design a method for the user to control the effect of the audio features on spatial positioning and higher-level automation parameters.

• Design and implement an interface for performance, composition, and installation (automation).

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