Midlands Branch

Evening Meeting

Wednesday 20th January 2016: 18:00 for an 18:30 Start

University of Derby

Lecture Theatre OL1, Kedleston Road Campus, Derby, DE22 1GB

Sound Design for our Sound Environment: The Science, Art and Industrial Application of Auralisation Research

Dr Damian Murphy

Reader in Audio and Music Technology

University of York

The soundscape of our environment helps us to better understand the world we live in, and has a direct effect on our health and wellbeing. Human society has battled with the concept of excessive noise since hitting one rock against another was used to produce the first tools, and yet the complete absence of sound in our environment can prove to be equally unsettling. If the presence of sound, both wanted and unwanted, is something that cannot be avoided, how might we design our environment to deliver a more optimal or pleasing aural experience?

Auralisation – the audio equivalent of visualisation – enables us to audition virtual acoustic environments that have existed in the past, that are about to be built, or that are purely fictional, and is a key part of the modern architectural and environmental engineering design process. The techniques used enable proposed buildings and spaces, from concert halls and classrooms, to major interventions in the landscape and countryside that surrounds us, to be auditioned and tested for the acoustic impact such developments will have on our day-to-day lives.

Research in the Department of Electronics Audio Lab at the University of York, UK, is investigating new methods to improve how auralisation is both implemented and delivered. Efficient, accurate, interactive modelling and simulation is one significant challenge, especially when considering large, outdoor, potentially unbounded soundscapes with many complex dynamic sound sources. As well as improving our design and modelling processes, we are also interested in the quality of the user experience that arises as a result of this research. Working with artists we can use sound to better design aspects of the environments we simulate, while also encouraging and enabling us to interpret and understand the sounds we are surrounded by, whether past, present or future.

Attendance is free, no need to book, everyone welcome.  CPD certificates can be provided.  If you have any queries please contact carys.hill@aecom.com.

As is traditional for IOA Midlands Branch meetings those attending are cordially invited for a meal at the Balti International restaurant after the meeting. Please let Carys know if you would like to come, so we can book a table.

Directions

Click on the web link for directions to the University Kedleston Rd Campus

http://www.derby.ac.uk/files/finding_the_derby_campus.pdf, http://www.derby.ac.uk/files/kedleston_road_derby_campus_floorplan.pdf