Games in Sound: 3-D Audio Immersion Intensive

Explore Emerging Audio Platforms in this weekend workshop intensive that includes performances, screenings, interactive experiences, lectures, and rural soundscape recording ventures.

Three-dimensional spatial audio immersion might appear to be a new innovation with the popularization of virtual reality platforms. However, there is a long established history of spatial audio immersion in electroacoustic music and sound art, which dates back to the Philips Pavilion of the 1958 Brussels World Fair.

The head-tracking features of Virtual Reality devices like the Occulus Rift and The VIVE along with the implementation of Ambisonics into video game engines, poses many new creative challenges for sound artists wanting to create more life-like and interactive audio immersive experiences. VR also offers a new distribution platform for sound artists to reach new audiences in the process.

In this weekend workshop, digital media artist, designer and developer Hector Centeno will introduce methods for composing and designing 3-D sound using Ambisonic production techniques and the Unreal Engine while NAISA Artistic Director Darren Copeland will lead a morning Ambisonic soundscape recording excursion at Warbler's Roost, which is located in the countryside 22 km west of the small village of South River.

In addition, there will be an online guest lecture by French electroacoustic composer and media designer Christine Webster who implemented a virtual electroacoustic acousmonium (orchestra of loudspeakers) in her interactive VR composition The Empty Room Project. Christine Webster's work will be featured in both of the evening presentations – Videomusic 'Screaming' and A Listening Voyage Through Gaming.

Schedule

Friday Oct 26
7 pm - Videomusic 'Screaming' at NAISA North Media Arts Centre

Saturday Oct 27
7 am to 8 am – Breakfast at Warbler's Roost
8 am to 11 am - Ambisonic Soundscape Recording with Darren Copeland at Warbler's Roost
1 to 5 pm – Composing and Designing with Ambisonics in Unreal Engine by Hector Centeno at NAISA North
5 to 7 pm – Dinner at NAISA North
7 to 9 pm - A Listening Voyage Through Gaming at NAISA North

Sunday Oct 27
10 am to 1 pm – Implementing Warbler's Roost Ambisonic Recordings into Unreal Engine with Hector Centeno at NAISA North
2 to 3 pm - The Empty Room Project, Tele-Lecture by Christine Webster at NAISA North

All events and meals listed in the schedule are included in the Workshop Registration Fee. Evening presentations are open to those not attending the workshop for a $10 admission per event.

Location Info

Warbler's Roost is at 3785D Eagle Lake Road, South River. It is a Country Inn Bed & Breakfast located on a 14-acre property with frontage on Deer Lake. It is 20 minutes’ drive west of the village of South River in the unorganized geographic township of Lount.

NAISA North Media Arts Centre is a gallery, artist residency space and café located at 106 Ottawa Avenue, South River, Ontario. NAISA North is operated by New Adventures in Sound Art (NAISA), a non-profit arts organization established in Toronto in 2001 that re-located to South River in 2017.

Practical Matters

For the Saturday morning, participants are advised to dress warmly in the event of cool temperatures, and if possible, bring any outer clothing that is bright orange or yellow. Ambisonic recording equipment will be provided for the Saturday morning, but participants are welcome to bring their own recording equipment.

Warbler's Roost has a full kitchen for meal preparations whereas NAISA North is a cafe serving soups, baked goods and Muskoka Roastery Coffee.

Please indicate in the registration notes of any dietary or physical accommodations.

NAISA North Media Arts Centre is wheelchair accessible.