Explore the marvellous universe of 3D sound at Solent
In the past, audio was primarily delivered through a single speaker, whether it was a radio programme, at the cinema, or via a record player. This is mono sound. However, stereo recording introduced a new dimension, by placing sounds on a left-to-right spectrum. But despite these advances, they still didn't replicate how humans naturally perceive sound in the real world. That requires a more 'three-dimensional' approach, known these days by several names but which to start with we’ll call spatial audio.
Our ears physically receive and our brains process sound in a way that allows us to figure out its location - above, below, behind, in front, left, right … or all of them! Our ears capture sounds in a sphere around us, enabling us to discern their origin. Dolby Atmos in cinemas is a prime example of 'immersive audio', using multiple speakers to deliver sounds from where they would realistically occur in relation to the viewer's position. We’re more immersed in the physical sensation of sound, and thus in the story world being presented to us.
On Solent University's BA (Hons) Media Production degree, we strive to keep pace with these developments. To prepare our students for the media creation industry, we’ve incorporated multidirectional audio possibilities into our curriculum. This year, we added Mobile Audio Storytelling to our audio modules, which already cover mono recording and stereo podcasting.
In Mobile Audio Storytelling, our final year students deploy spatial audio to create immersive stories delivered through an app (we use izi.travel). These stories are situated in real places (ie, they’re 'geolocated'), and the app assists users in navigating through them while each audio section enhances the narrative. For instance, one student recreated a fire which happened in Southampton in 1837. The app guides users to the site of the fire and leads them through various locations until they reach a memorial to those who died in the tragedy. At each location, a corresponding spatial audio track dramatises the events that transpired there.
When planning this module, we initially examined audio guides commonly found in art galleries and museums. We also explored geolocative 'soundwalks', which guide users through streets and neighbourhoods, playing associated audio based on their location. However, we’ve gone further by ensuring our students' mobile audio experiences sonically emulate the sounds of the real world. This is where spatial audio comes in.
To explore more spatial audio projects from our students, click here.
To find out more about BA (Hons) Media Production at Solent, click here.
Paul Stevens, Lecturer in Media Production, Solent University
