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
