AESR-Lab Sound Projection-Laboratory

As one of the initial sub-projects of the "ÆSR Lab," the "Sound Projection Laboratory – SPL" is being realized in the years 2023–2026 and is implemented by the mdw - University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, one of the world's largest music universities. The Sound Projection Lab is based at the Artistic Research Center (ARC) and the Department of Composition, Electroacoustics and Tonmeister Education. These departments promote innovative artistic research that leads to the production of new knowledge and can serve as an independent contribution to the development and opening up of the arts.

Within the framework of research and education, the system to be developed aims to enable new and unconventional forms of spatial acoustic design for musical compositions and performances.

Overall Structure

It involves the development of a modular sound system consisting of 256 individual speakers. These speakers can be combined into different sound arrays, each with 16 units. Each module is equipped with its own amplifier, a D/A converter, and a single-board computer responsible for routing and signal processing. Via networked audio, the individual modules can be connected and controlled, enabling the application of spatial sound formats such as Beamforming, Wave Field Synthesis, and Ambisonic.

Components

Throughout the research project, all components, including the embedded system, AVB Network Audio, Linux driver programming, Digital Audio Amplifiers (PCB development), and speaker hardware, are to be developed. The knowledge acquired during the project will be made available as open source to facilitate the system's independent construction. A prototype is set to be tested in August 2024, as part of the cultural capital program "Salzkammergut 2024."

This blog is intended to accompany the creation process and document all important milestones. If you would like to contribute to the project or have any questions, please feel free to contact us.