Playing the sound image – Individual immersive sound performance by a performer wearing parametric speakers -

risako shibata; miki kanda; kenta tanaka; ryoho kobayashi; yuta uozumi; shinya fujii

Image credit: risako shibata; miki kanda; kenta tanaka; ryoho kobayashi; yuta uozumi; shinya fujii

• Format: Live Performance
• Session: concert-1
• Paper PDF link
• Presence: In person
• Duration: 12
• Location: Drama Theatere

Abstract:

This is a sound performance in which dynamic and improvisational spatial movement of sound is created by a performer wearing parametric speakers that have the characteristic of directing sound.

The direct sound from the parametric speakers has a super narrow directivity, which creates the sensation that the sound field is close by, as well as tactile auditory stimulation. It is also easily reflected by walls and objects, creating a virtual sound source on the spot.

In this work, parametric speakers are attached to both palms and shins of the performer and made wireless, making the sound source mobile. The composer also remotely selects and adjusts the parameters of the sound source played from the parametric speakers.

This allows the performer to move between the audience, changing the distance and direction from the audience and the wall, creating a movement of the sound image. In addition, the switching between direct and reflected sound creates an auditory experience in which the localization changes abruptly.

In this work, the choreography of the performers and the music are composed in parallel, for example, by taking advantage of the changes in pitch created by the high-speed movement of the parametric speakers. The movement of the performer changes the hearing, response, and relationship between the performer themselves, the composer, and the viewer, bringing to light a more complex sound source movement and improvisational acoustic experience.