Spatialization
All
of the material in these works is spatialized with the
TiMax2 SoundHub, developed by Harmonic Functions. Our
version uses it as a 16 to 8 matrix mixer where at every
cross-point in the mixer, an "image" describes how the
signal is routed to the 8 output channels in terms of
level (dB) and time delay (ms). These images are placed on
the timeline of the audio and hence potentially correlated
with it. Multiple images on an audio track result in a
trajectory in which both the levels and time delays are
interpolated. In the 16 x 8 version, up to 16 simultaneous
trajectories can be realized.
Examples of Timeline scores:
Aeolian Voices: Cue 1, Cue 2,
Cue 3, Cue
4, Cue 5, Cue 6, Cue 7,
Cue 8
From the Unseen World:
Cue 1, Cue
2, Cue 3, Cue 4, Cue 5
In these works, the images are often members of a
family such as those called DelRamp (delay ramp) where one
output channel is strongest (0 dB), and the neighbouring
output channels drop off sequentially by about 0.9 -1.4 dB
and each adds a 10 ms delay. Two subsets of the family are
where levels fall off clockwise (e.g. DelRamp1) or
counter-clockwise (e.g. DelRamp1R). The aural effect of
the use of these delay ramps is that the signal is smeared
over all of the other speakers, a little like the trail
behind a jet. The visual and numerical representations of
some sample images are shown in the table below (with the
relevant numerical values marked in red, the
amplitude levels shown as faders, the delays shown with an
up arrow fader, and the output channels listed on the
bottom row).
DelRamp1
|
DelRamp5
|
DelRamp8
|
|
|
|
DelRamp1R
|
DelRamp5R |
DelRamp8R |
|
|
|
A
circular Trajectory is created by placing 8 such
images in a row, such that the sequence of
images might go clockwise around the ring of
speakers in the sequence DelRamp1, DelRamp2, ....
DelRamp8 where the leading channel "pushes
against" the strong next channel, or
counter-clockwise, as in the sequence DelRamp1,
DelRamp8, ... DelRamp2 where the "trailing"
channels act like a jet trail.
Likewise, the sequence
DelRamp8R, DelRamp7R, ... DelRamp1 may go
counter-clockwise with a jet trail, or clockwise
as in DelRamp1R, DelRamp2R,
.... DelRamp8R. In the case of
stereo tracks, the right hand channel is usually
placed one speaker to the right (e.g. when the
left channel goes to DelRamp1, the right goes to
DelRamp2, etc.). Note that the speed of the
trajectory depends on the spacing of the sequence
within the audio file. At
certain key moments, the trajectory may speed up and slow
down.
Other spatial patterns are also used in these pieces
such as DelV1, Echo1 and Comb1, as shown below. In the
DelV patterns, there is a 20 ms delay between neighbouring
channels, simulating what would happen with approx. a 20
ft (or 6.5 m) distance between channels placed at 45
degree intervals, similar to reflected sound.
DelV1
|
DelV5 |
DelV8 |
|
|
|
| Echo1 |
Echo5 |
Echo8 |
|
|
|
| Comb1 |
Comb5 |
Comb8 |
|
|
|
The comb filter is achieved by combining tracks 1&2
(Comb1) with the specified time delays in ms.
PanSpace
Demo
Video
