Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
SenSInstallation:
Review the use of spherical speaker arrays and sensor-speaker arrays (SenSAs) in performance and installation.
Detail our recent development of “third generation” spherical speaker arrays.
Project the use of these new speakers as a large-scale diffusion array for sound installation and electro-acoustic performance.
“Alternative Voices for Electronic Sound”Trueman, Bahn, Cook - ICMC 2000, Berlin
“Physicality and Feedback”Bahn, Hahn, Trueman - ICMC 2001, Havana
SenSInstallation Project Goals:
Construct a new Sensor/Speaker “instrument:”
• Large-scale multi-channel spherical sound system under sensor control.
• Develop the system so that could support many configurations and applications.
• Develop general-purpose spatialization tools for the system.
• Realize numerous pieces ranging from sound installation to electro-acoustic mixed ensemble compositions.
Conventional Systems:• Covered at SEAMUS 2002 by Beck: A Taxonomy of Sound
Diffusion
• Forward projecting stereo “PA-systems”
• Outside-In, “Surround” configurations
Spherical Speaker Arrays and “SenSAs:” Background
Conventional Systems:• Surround the audience in order to provide an “immersive”
sonic experience.
• Disassociate the acoustic source of sound production and the electronic image creating a “plane of separation” between acoustic and electronic sources and between electronic sounds and the audience.
• Acoustic sources are absorbed into electronic sound-space, usually via subtle addition of artificial reverberation (sound reinforcement)
Spherical Speaker Arrays and “SenSAs:” Background
Spherical Systems:
• “Inside-Out,” instrument-like sonic radiation
• Engage natural acoustic qualities of performance spaces
• No “sweet spot”
Spherical Speaker Arrays and “SenSAs:” Background
Spherical Systems:
• Electronic sources are absorbed into the acoustic sound-space
• Very successful with small chamber music ensembles and in small spaces.
• Often successful with larger ensembles, in large spaces, and in combination with traditional sound-reinforcement systems.
• No “plane-of-separation” between electronic and acoustic sources.
Spherical Speaker Arrays and “SenSAs:” Background
Spherical speakers have long been applied in the study of
• The acoustic qualities of performance spaces:
Hidaka and Beranek, 1991
• The acoustic qualities of instruments:
Causse, et al., 1992
Roads, 1996
Wessel, 1991
Spherical Speaker Arrays and “SenSAs:” Background
L.A.R.S. speaker used inacoustic analysis of concert halls
Multi-channel microphone array
Software interface to manipulate and apply impulse response analyses
The “Nbody Project” Cook and TruemanStudies of the directional radiative qualities of acoustic instruments
Early Spherical Speakers for the Nbody Project
The Bomb
The Boulder
Trueman’s first “gigging” sphere “R2”
(Ikea salad bowls never sounded better…)
the “critter”12 discreet channels
individually enclosed drivers
Designed by Dan and Lawrence Trueman
“Bubba” (Bahn)A 23” 12-channel spherical speaker array
based on the “critter” design
Second Generation Spherical Speakers
U.S. Enclosures Inc. Fabricated Spheres
Applications:
Performance Arrays
• Bahn
• Trueman
• “Interface”
Bahn set-up
“The r!g”
Trueman set-ups
solo
Trueman set-ups
Electro-Acoustic mixed ensembles: Trollstilt, Machine Language
“Trollstilt”Dan Trueman &Monica MuganColgate Chapel
“interface” on stage at OSU Interactive Performance Series
Applications:Sensor Speaker Arrays: SenSAs
• Trueman: BoSSA
• Cook: DigitalDoo
• Bahn/Hahn: Pikapika
BoSSA Bowed-Sensor-Speaker-Array
Cook’s DigitalDoo: a sensor didgeridoo
Cook’s DigitalDoo: modified spherical speaker
““Pikapika”Pikapika” a Sensor/ Speaker Performer - Tomie Hahn and Curtis Bahn
The “SSpeaPer” Interface
“Strolling:” a wireless sonic performer
Applications:Multi-channel Arrays and
SenSAs in Installation
• Cook: Perisphere 1• Moore, Engel, Place: Telephonic Displacements• Moore: Cumulosonus
PariSphere 1Cook
Multi-channel speaker array forTelephonic Displacements
Moore, Engel, Place
Cumulosonus 12 channel/ 48 speaker array - Moore
Third Generation Spherical Speakers
• Due to dissatisfaction with United Enclosures Inc. fabricated spheres, new speakers returned to a modified “critter” design.
• Designed for 2 channel spherical or 1 channel hemispherical applications
• 43 single channel hemispheres produced
Third Generation Spherical Speakers
Design and fabrication
Jigs created for accuratemass production
Third Generation Spherical Speakers
Sealing the hemispheres
Preparation for painting
Third Generation Spherical Speakers
Third Generation Spherical Speakers
Third Generation Spherical Speakers
Third Generation Spherical Speakers
Installing Polk Audio coaxial drivers.
Initial Tests
First configuration:16 channel 4x4 test grid
Initial Tests
Currently undergoing rigorous evaluation process…
Initial Tests
Surveillance dome for soft VNS head tracking
• 4x4 matrix panning based on “equal power curve” function, later Gaussian or “S-curve.”
• Arbitrary room size and speaker configuration.
• Dynamic placement of sound “objects” within the configuration.
• Scalable sound size or “radius.”
• Hooks for external control of sound object placement.
Initial Software Tests
Initial Software Tests
Based on Simon Fraser's implementation of Craig Reynolds' Boids algorithm
“Boids,” Eric L. Singer
Pieces in Progress
• “TerraSonus” Moore Installation of a large-scale navigable sonic landscape
• “struct_1.cg.0” Trueman/Bahn A “Digital Concerto Grosso” for Electronic Duo and Large Chamber Orchestra
Building new sonic display systems is a very rewardingactivity:
Speakers constitute our “voice” in electronic music yet we rarely engage them on this level when studying electro-acoustic music composition and performance.
This project provides engagement with design, fabrication, acoustics, electronics, programming, and composition. Great class or independent project for students.
No, we’re not selling them...
We will provide you with plans and information if you want to build some.
Curtis Bahn [email protected]://www.arts.rpi.edu/crb
Stephan Moore [email protected]://www.oddnoise.com/
Thanks to the Integrated Electronic Arts ProgramRensselaer Polytechnic institute - iEAR Studios.Polk Audio, Inc.
Partners in crime:
David Lublin, Jonathan Marcus - Undergraduate Research Assistants
Scott Smallwood, Dan Trueman, Perry Cook
Interface at the Flea Theater in NYC April 15th, EMF seriesBahn, Trueman, Cook, Hahn, Dubois
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