A Framework for Site-Specific Spatial Audio Applications

As audio recording and reproduction technology has advanced over the past five decades, increasing attention has been paid to recreating the highly spatialised listening experience we understand from our physical environment. This is the logical next step in the quest for increasing audio clarity, particularly as virtual reality gaming and augmented reality experiences become more widespread.

This study sought to develop and demonstrate a technical framework for the production of site-specific audio-based works that is user-friendly and cost effective. The system was intended to be used by existing content producers and audio programmers to work collaboratively with a range of site-based organisations such as museums and galleries to produce an audio augmentation of the physicality of the space.

This research was guided by four key aims:

1. Demonstrate a compositional method for immersive spatial audio that references the novel physical environment and the listener’s movement within it.
2. Describe a framework for the development and deployment of a spatial audio visitor technology system.
3. Prototype a naturalistic method for the delivery and navigation of contextual information via audio.
4. Deploy, demonstrate, and evaluate a spatial audio experience within a representative environment.

The resulting system makes use of a range of existing technologies to provide a development experience and output that meets a clearly defined set of criteria.

Furthermore, a case study application has been developed that demonstrates the use of the system to augment a selection of six paintings in a gallery space. For each of these paintings, a creative spatial composition was produced that demonstrates the principles of spatial composition discussed in this thesis. A spoken informational layer sits on top of this acting as a museum audio guide, featuring navigation using head gestures for a hands-free experience. This thesis presents a detailed discussion of the artistic intentions and techniques employed in the production of the six soundscapes, as well as an evaluation of the resulting application in use in a public gallery space.