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Discover how acoustics and digital technology are bringing medieval Coventry's lost soundscape back to life through immersive research and app development.
In-person at STEAMhouse (Birmingham City University) or online via Zoom
The Aural Histories Coventry project draws together history, acoustics and app development to reconstruct the sound of lost medieval Coventry. Jamie Savan will introduce the wider Aural Histories project, Islah Ali-MacLachlan will present the ODEON modelling and acoustic analysis behind the work, and Reiss Smith will address the app development process within Unreal Engine, discussing the practical considerations and emergent findings of his PhD work.
Before the talk, explore Medieval Coventry through interactive demonstrations of the Aural Histories: Coventry app—experience a hands-on demo of the mobile app and a deep dive in the Birmingham SoundLab®.
Speakers Jamie Savan, Islah Ali-MacLachlan and Reiss Smith
Speaker Bios
Professor Jamie Savan is Director of Research at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and project lead for Aural Histories. His research interests are principally in historical performance practices of the sixteenth and early-seventeenth centuries, and in applied organology, including how these disciplines might intersect with emerging digital technologies. As a performer, he features on over 50 commercial recordings and is best known for his work as founder-director of The Gonzaga Band, and as a longstanding member of His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts.
Professor Islah Ali-MacLachlan is Professor of Engineering Product Design at Birmingham City University, with research interests in acoustics, audio analysis, cultural heritage, and music technology. As Acoustic Lead on the AHRC-funded Aural Histories project, he works within a multidisciplinary team of musicians, ethnomusicologists, recording specialists, historians, and heritage experts.
Reiss Smith holds a Master’s degree in Music Technology and is currently undertaking a BCU-funded PhD titled Dynamic Auralisation for Sonic Heritage. His research investigates the possibilities of real-time audio simulation, and the potential uses of game engine technologies for widely accessible, high-fidelity audio experiences. In addition to his academic pursuits, he applies his expertise in audio engineering, sound toy development, and sampler instrument design. His integration of research and creative practice aims to expand the ways by which people engage with and access sound.
Registration - please sign up through this CPD link: https://www.cpdtag.com/app.php?event=F9A8E67982E9220F7E64FF9B979C481