Live Sound

26 Jan 2024

Episode 95 Gavin Kearney & Helena Daffern (AudioLab, University of York)

By Immersive Audio Podcast

This episode is sponsored by HHB Communications, the UK’s leader in Pro Audio Technology. For years HHB has been delivering the latest and most innovative pro audio solutions to the world’s top recording studios, post facilities, and broadcasters. The team at HHB provide best-in-class consultation, installation, training, and technical support to customers who want to build or upgrade their studio environment for immersive audio workflow. To find out more or book a demo at their HQ facility visit www.hhb.co.uk

Summary

In this episode of the Immersive Audio Podcast, Oliver Kadel is joined by Professors Gavin Kearney and Helena Daffern from the AudioLab at the School of Physics Engineering and Technology at the University of York, UK.

Gavin Kearney is a Professor of Audio Engineering at the School of Physics Engineering and Technology at the University of York. He is an active researcher, technologist and sound designer for immersive technologies and has published over a hundred articles and patents relating to immersive audio. He graduated from Dublin Institute of Technology in 2002 with an honours degree in Electronic Engineering and has since obtained both MSc and PhD degrees in Audio Signal Processing from Trinity College Dublin. He joined the University of York as a Lecturer in Sound Design at the Department of Theatre, Film and Television in January 2011 and moved to the Department of Electronic Engineering in 2016. He leads a team of researchers at York Audiolab which focuses on different facets of immersive and interactive audio, including spatial audio and surround sound, real-time audio signal processing, Ambisonics and spherical acoustics, game audio/audio for virtual and augmented reality and recording and audio post-production technique development.

Helena Daffern is currently a Professor in Music Science and Technology at the School of Physics Engineering and Technology at the University of York. Her research utilises interdisciplinary approaches to investigate voice science and acoustics, particularly singing performance, vocal pedagogy, choral singing and singing for health and well-being. Recent projects explore the potential of virtual reality to improve access to group singing activities and as a tool for singing performance research. She received a BA (Hons.) degree in music, an M.A. degree in music, and a PhD in music technology, all from the University of York, UK, in 2004, 2005, and 2009. She went on to complete training as a classical singer at Trinity College of Music and worked in London as a singer and teacher before returning to York. Her research utilises interdisciplinary approaches to investigate voice science and acoustics, particularly singing performance, vocal pedagogy, choral singing and singing for health and well-being. Recent projects explore the potential of virtual reality to improve access to group singing activities and as a tool for singing performance research.

Helena and Gavin talk about the recently announced CoSTAR project – the initiative focuses on leveraging a novel R&D in virtual production technologies including CGI, spatial audio, motion capture and extended reality to create groundbreaking live performance experiences.

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Show Notes

Gavin Kearney Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-p-kearney/?originalSubdomain=uk

Helena Daffern Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/helena-daffern-32822439/?originalSubdomain=uk

AudioLab – https://audiolab.york.ac.uk/

University of York – https://www.york.ac.uk/

CoSTAR Project – https://audiolab.york.ac.uk/audiolab-at-the-forefront-of-pioneering-the-future-of-live-performance-with-a-new-rd-lab/

BBC Maida Vale Studios – https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/venue/bbc-maida-vale-studios

AudioLab goes to BBC Maida Vale Recording Studios – https://audiolab.york.ac.uk/audiolab-goes-to-bbc-maida-vale-recording-studios/

Project SAFFIRE – https://audiolab.york.ac.uk/saffire/

Our Sponsors

Innovate Audio offers a range of software-based spatial audio processing tools. Their latest product, panLab Console, is a macOS application that adds 3D spatial audio rendering capabilities to live audio mixing consoles, including popular models from Yamaha, Midas and Behringer. This means you can achieve an object-based audio workflow, utilising the hardware you already own. Immersive Audio Podcast listeners can get an exclusive 20% discount on all panLab licences, use code Immersive20 at checkout. Find out more at innovateaudio.co.uk *Offer available until June 2024.*

HOLOPLOT is a Berlin-based pro-audio company, which features the multi-award-winning X1 Matrix Array. X1 is software-driven, combining 3D Audio-Beamforming and Wave Field Synthesis to achieve authentic sound localisation and complete control over sound in both the vertical and horizontal axes. HOLOPLOT is pivoting the revolution in sound control, enabling the positioning of virtual loudspeakers within a space, allowing for a completely new way of designing and experiencing immersive audio on a large scale. To find more, visit holoplot.com.

Survey

We want to hear from you! We really value our community and would appreciate it if you would take our very quick survey and help us make the Immersive Audio Podcast even better: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3Y9B2MJ Thank you!

Credits

This episode was produced by Oliver Kadel and Emma Rees and included music by Rhythm Scott.

28 Nov 2023

Episode 91 SXSW 2024 Panel Acceptance Announcement

By Immersive Audio Podcast

Summary

We have a big announcement to make – Immersive Audio Podcast are going to SXSW 2024!

We are hosting the panel “State of Play of Immersive Audio: Past, Present & Future”.

It’s been almost six years since we started the Immersive Audio Podcast and as we are coming up to our 100th release anniversary we wanted to mark this milestone with a special edition at SXSW 2024. With the hindsight of releasing almost 100 episodes, we’ve met a lot of companies and experts covering a broad spectrum of topics fundamental to our industry. This panel will highlight the key indicative developments that have defined the immersive audio industry for the past decade, reflect on the current trends and look forward to the future.

Our expert guests will feature Audioscenic Limited covering binaural audio over speakers on consumer devices and HOLOPLOT discussing spatial audio for large-scale immersive events. We’ll moderate the panel as well as discuss our own work in the space of interactive live performance in immersive spaces and spatial and interactive sound design in immersive media production.

Audioscenic – https://www.audioscenic.com/

HOLOPLOT – https://holoplot.com/

If you’d like to learn more about our panelists go to your favorite podcast app or our website and check out Episodes 75/76 featuring Audioscenic (Binaural Audio Over Speakers) and Episodes 77/85 HOLOPLOT (3D Audio – Beamforming and Wave Field Synthesis).

Our audience will receive a comprehensive overview of what defines immersive audio as a whole in the modern multifaceted world of digital media. We’ll provide an overview of core technologies, formats and distribution platforms along with associated challenges and opportunities. Attentive audience members will get a range of unique perspectives from panel experts that can be helpful for education and business development.

This panel is aimed at Sound Engineers, Sound Designers, Musicians, Mixers, Gamers, Writers, Audio Tech Consumers, Academics, Immersive Content Makers and general Tech Enthusiasts…

If you’re planning to attend and would like to arrange to meet us, please get in touch via [email protected]

The panel will be recorded and released on our podcast channel as Episode 100th.

We’d like to thank all our listeners who voted for us and your continued support!

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Show Notes

Panel Details, State of Play of Immersive Audio: Past, Present & Future – https://schedule.sxsw.com/2024/events/PP132288

Episode 75 Audioscenic Binaural Audio Over Speakers (Part 1) – https://immersiveaudiopodcast.com/episode-75-audioscenic-binaural-audio-over-speakers-part-1/

Episode 76 Audioscenic Binaural Audio Over Speakers (Part 2) – https://immersiveaudiopodcast.com/episode-76-audioscenic-binaural-audio-over-speakers-part-2/

Episode 77 HOLOPLOT (3D Audio-Beamforming and Wave Field Synthesis) – https://immersiveaudiopodcast.com/episode-77-holoplot-3d-audio-beamforming-and-wave-field-synthesis/

Episode 85 Roman Sick (HOLOPLOT) – https://immersiveaudiopodcast.com/episode-85-roman-sick-holoplot/

23 Nov 2023

Episode 90 Halina Rice (Electronic Music Production & Live Performance)

By Immersive Audio Podcast

Summary

This episode is sponsored by Innovate Audio. Innovate Audio offers a range of software-based spatial audio processing tools. Their latest product, panLab Console, is a macOS application that adds 3D spatial audio rendering capabilities to live audio mixing consoles, including popular models from Yamaha, Midas and Behringer. This means you can achieve an object-based audio workflow, utilising the hardware you already own. Immersive Audio Podcast listeners can get an exclusive 20% discount on all panLab licences, use code Immersive20 at checkout. Find out more at innovateaudio.co.uk *Offer available until June 2024.*

In this episode of the Immersive Audio Podcast, Oliver Kadel and Monica Bolles are joined by electronic music producer and AV artist Halina Rice, from London, UK.

Halina Rice is an ‘immersive first’ electronic music producer and AV artist working at the intersection of music, art and technology with her sold-out live shows being described as “part rave, part art-happening.” Creating music that spans from abstract sound design to beat-driven IDM, her performances and installations are often presented in spatial sound in both physical venues as well as metaverse and VR environments. Halina also gives masterclasses and keynotes on the use of spatial sound in immersive performance.

Halina talks about the process of producing and preparing for her live sets, working with L-Acoustic’s L-ISA system, and shares practical insights on how performing with a spatial audio array differs from working with traditional playback systems.

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Newsboard

Our friends at the Sennheiser Ambeo Mobility team are on the lookout for a Senior Audio Engineer, check out the link for more details – https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3725223871/

Show Notes

Halina Rice Website – https://www.halinarice.com/

Halina Rice Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/halina-rice-322b441/

Halina Rice Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/halinarice_music/

Creating with L-ISA Studio x Halina Rice – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eouXXJwmXO4

HALINA RICE – IMMERSIVE LIVESET AT EARTH, LONDON – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=339pQhXJnVE

Halina Rice performing live in The Blueprint – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FAtoOR5tXM

AOMedia Advances the Audio Innovation Era with First-ever Audio Specification Offered Under Its Royalty-free License – https://aomedia.org/press%20releases/AOMedia-Advances-the-Audio-Innovation-Era/

HARMAN Professional Solutions To Acquire FLUX SOFTWARE ENGINEERING – https://news.harman.com/releases/harman-professional-solutions-to-acquire-flux-software-engineering

Episode 45 Guillaume Le Nost (L-Acoustics) – https://immersiveaudiopodcast.com/episode-45-guillaume-le-nost-l-acoustics/

Episode 57 Hugo Larin (Flux:: Immersive – SPAT Revolution) – https://immersiveaudiopodcast.com/episode-57-hugo-larin-flux-immersive-spat-revolution/

Survey

Credits

This episode was produced by Oliver Kadel and Emma Rees and included music by Rhythm Scott.

17 Nov 2023

Episode 89 John-Henry Dale & Merijn Royaards (Sonic Sphere)

By Immersive Audio Podcast

Summary

In this episode of the Immersive Audio Podcast, Monica Bolles is joined by musicians and audio engineers John Henry Dale and Merijn Royaards from Miami, US.

John Henry Dale is an immersive media artist, musician and entrepreneur focused on live spatial audio and video performance, based between Miami and New York. He holds an MSc in Digital Composition and Performance from the University of Edinburgh and composes, performs, and produces music across a range of genres from electronica, jazz, funk, Latin, global bass and ambient, to avant-garde and serialist composition projects. He has also worked extensively in the confluence of IT, Web, AV, Live Streaming, and Immersive Media technology at The Regional Arts and Culture Council, New World Symphony, Hive Streaming and Linkedin. Most recently in July of 2023, he worked with Merijn Royaards and the Sonic Sphere project to help create custom spatial audio mixes in SPAT, Reaper and Ableton Live of selected works for the Sonic Sphere residency at the Shed and also created a personalised spatial audio mix and listening session for Mike Bloomberg and Marina Abramovic. John Henry performed his live music for his “In Viridi Lux” spatial audio performance project inside the Sonic Sphere as part of a 2023 Miami Individual Artist grant funded by the National Endowment for The Arts and the Miami-Dade Cultural Affairs Department.

Merijn Royaards is a sound architect, researcher, and performer guided by convoluted movements through music, art, and spatial studies. The interaction between space and sound in cities with a history/present of conflict has been a recurring theme in his multimedia works to date. His 2020 awarded doctoral thesis explores the state-altering effects of sound, space, and movement from the Russian avant-garde to today’s clubs and raves. He is one part of a critical essay film practice with artist-researcher Henrietta Williams and teaches sound design for film and installation art at the Bartlett School of Architecture.

JH and Merijn talk about the evolution of Sonic Sphere as a concept, playback system and performance space. They talk about the practical aspects of crafting and experiencing different spatial audio content within the spherical structures.

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Newsboard

Our friends at the Sennheiser Ambeo Mobility team are on the lookout for a Senior Audio Engineer, check out the link for more details – https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3725223871/

Show Notes

John Henry Dale Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhenrydale/

John Henry Dale Website – https://johnhenrydale.com/

Merijn Royaards – https://www.linkedin.com/in/merijn-royaards-82867a273/

Sonic Sphere – https://www.sonic-sphere.com

Survey

Credits

This episode was produced by Oliver Kadel and Emma Rees and included music by Rhythm Scott.

20 Oct 2023

Episode 86 Daniel Higgott & Luke Swaffield (Innovate Audio)

By Immersive Audio Podcast

Summary

In this episode of the Immersive Audio Podcast, Oliver Kadel is joined by theatre sound designer and engineer at Autograph Sound – Luke Swaffield and co-founder and lead developer at Innovate Audio Daniel Higgott from London, United Kingdom.

Daniel Higgott is a software developer and sound engineer. He has worked in live audio for over 15 years and has a career spanning theatre, music and live events. He has worked as a sound operator, mixing major West End musicals and touring productions. Daniel has also worked as a sound designer, programmer and associate sound designer for a variety of companies. Daniel is an experienced macOS and iOS software developer. Through his work with Innovate Audio, his software is installed on over 10,000 devices worldwide. Daniel specialises in software for the live events industries and enjoys being able to use his own software tools alongside his work in live audio. Daniel has twin toddlers, and when he’s not working he loves being able to spend time with them and watch them grow up. Daniel Higgott trained at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.

Recent creative credits include Sound Design credits: Frameless Immersive Art Gallery (Marble Arch), When the Rain Stops Falling (RADA), Jack and the Beanstalk (Hackney Empire 2021), When Darkness Falls (Park Theatre and UK Tour), In the Mood (Mountview), Candide (Mountview), Dick Whittington (Hackney Empire 2019), Aladdin (Hackney Empire 2018), Growl (UK Tour), A Spoonful of Sherman (UK and Ireland Tour). Associate Sound Design credits: Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Piccadilly Theatre, London), Epochal Banquet (Dubai Expo 2020), Secret Cinema Presents: Casino Royale, Moll Flanders (Mercury Theatre, Colchester), Secret Cinema X: Tell No One – The Handmaiden, Our Country’s Good (Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto), Good People (Noel Coward, London). Audio Programmer credits: Secret Cinema Presents: Romeo & Juliet, Secret Cinema Presents: Moulin Rouge, Secret Cinema Presents: 28 Days Later, Secret Cinema: Tell No One – Dr. Strangelove, All My Sons (Apollo Theatre, London).

Luke Swaffield has worked on a variety of theatre and events as a Sound Designer for the past 15 years. Luke has extensive Audio and Show Control programming experience and alongside the team at Autograph Sound has developed systems to provide Audio and Control data across large sites for complex productions. Luke specialises in working in large-scale immersive and non-linear performances and some of his past work as a Sound Designer includes; ‘Peaky Blinders: The Rise (London & Riyadh), ‘Saw: The Escape Experience’, ‘Dr Who Time Fracture’ (London) & ‘Monopoly Life-Sized’ (London & Riyadh). Since 2016 Luke has also worked extensively as a Sound Designer and Show Control Programmer for Secret Cinema’s events in bespoke locations around London and abroad, both indoors and outdoors. Luke’s previous credits for Secret Cinema include; ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ (London), ’Bridgerton’ (London), ’Stranger Things’ (London & LA), ’Casino Royale’ (London & Shanghai), ‘Romeo & Juliet’, ‘Blade Runner’, ‘Moulin Rouge’, ‘Project Spring’, ’Dirty Dancing’, ‘28 Days Later’ and ‘Dr Strangelove’. Luke has also supported other companies with immersive events including as a Sound Designer on Les Enfants Terribles’ ‘Stella Artois Time Portal’, as an Audio Producer on DotDotDot’s immersive production of ‘Jeff Wayne’s War of The Worlds and Creative Agency Collider as Sound Designer on ‘League of Legends European 10th Anniversary’ at the Excel Centre, London. In the theatre world Luke’s past Sound Design credits include: ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button The Musical’ (Southwark Playhouse Elephant, London), ’TRAPLORD’ (180 Strand, London), ’Pride & Prejudice* (*Sort Of)’ (Criterion Theatre, London) ’Anything Goes’ (The Other Palace, London), ‘Parade’ (The Other Palace, London) ‘Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre’ (Blenheim Palace), ‘The Limit’ (Embassy Theatre, London), ‘Catch Me’ (Embassy Theatre, London), ‘Forgotten’ (Arcola, London), ‘The Full Monty’ (UK Tour), ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ (The Other Palace, London), ‘Big Fish The Musical’ (The Other Palace, London), ‘Billy The Kid’ (Leicester Curve), ‘Stay Awake, Jake’ (The Vaults Waterloo, London) and ‘The Wasp’ (Trafalgar Studios, London). Luke is a full-time member of the Sound Design department at Autograph Sound. Autograph Sound is Europe’s leading Sound Design and supply company with an unparalleled 45-year history. They are currently designing and/or supplying amongst others; ‘Moulin Rouge’, ‘Frozen’, ’Hamilton’, ‘Guys & Dolls’, ‘Cabaret’, ‘Les Misérables’ and ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’. For a full list of current and past productions please visit www.autograph.co.uk.

Dan and Luke talk about the world of theatre sound and immersive live events and the fast adoption of spatial audio which offers creative opportunities and the need for innovative solutions.

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Newsboard

Our friends at the Sennheiser Ambeo Mobility team are on the lookout for a Senior Audio Engineer, check out the link for more details – https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3725223871/

Show Notes

Daniel Higgott Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-higgott-62b0341b7

Luke Swaffield – https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-swaffield-0a278482/

Innovate Audio Website – https://innovateaudio.co.uk/

Autograph Website – https://www.autograph.co.uk/

panLab Console – https://innovateaudio.co.uk/panlab-console/

panLab 3 – https://innovateaudio.co.uk/panlab/

Survey

Credits

This episode was produced by Oliver Kadel and Emma Rees and included music by Rhythm Scott.

29 Sep 2023

Episode 85 Roman Sick (HOLOPLOT)

By Immersive Audio Podcast

Summary

This episode is sponsored by Berlin-based pro-audio company HOLOPLOT, which features the multi-award-winning X1 Matrix Array. X1 is software-driven, combining 3D Audio-Beamforming and Wave Field Synthesis to achieve authentic sound localisation and complete control over sound in both the vertical and horizontal axes. HOLOPLOT is pivoting the revolution in sound control, enabling the positioning of virtual loudspeakers within a space, allowing for a completely new way of designing and experiencing immersive audio on a large scale. To find more, visit https://holoplot.com.

In this episode of the Immersive Audio Podcast, Oliver Kadel is joined by the CEO of HOLOPLOT – Roman Sick from Berlin, Germany.

Roman is the CEO of the Berlin-based pro audio company, HOLOPLOT. A graduate economist and entrepreneur, he took over the leadership of the company in 2016. Roman has scaled HOLOPLOT at incredible speed, now employing upwards of 130 people across several global sites. His enthusiasm for HOLOPLOT was sparked because of his personal passion for music and audio as well as his conviction that this unique technology has the potential to radically revolutionise the status quo in the pro-audio Industry. In his tenure, Roman has led HOLOPLOT to success on multiple industry-redefining projects – perhaps most notably the appointment of HOLOPLOT as the official audio technology partner for the MSG Sphere in Las Vegas.

Roman explains the differences between the core features of the recently released X2 Matrix Array and its big brother X1 and we talk about how HOLOPLOT became the audio partner of choice for the long-anticipated, groundbreaking immersive venue – the MSG Sphere in Las Vegas.

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Newsboard

Our friends at the Sennheiser Ambeo Mobility team are on the lookout for a Senior Audio Engineer, check out the link for more details – https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3725223871/

Show Notes

Roman Sick LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/romansick/

HOLOPLOT Website – https://holoplot.com/

X1 Matrix – https://holoplot.com/systems/

X2 Matrix – https://holoplot.com/systems/x2/

HOLOPLOT Plan Software – https://holoplot.com/?/software/

Episode 77 HOLOPLOT (3D Audio-Beamforming and Wave Field Synthesis) – https://immersiveaudiopodcast.com/episode-77-holoplot-3d-audio-beamforming-and-wave-field-synthesis/

MSG – https://www.msg.com/madison-square-garden

The Sphere Las Vegas – https://www.thespherevegas.com/

HOLOPLOT Official Rental Provider – https://www.ct-group.com/uk/

Survey

Credits

This episode was produced by Oliver Kadel and Emma Rees and included music by Rhythm Scott.

22 Sep 2022

Episode 69 Poul Holleman & Salvador Breed(4DSOUND)

By Immersive Audio Podcast

Summary

In this episode of the Immersive Audio Podcast, Oliver Kadel and Monica Bolles are joined by Poul Holleman and Salvador Breed the co-founders of the spatial sound and creative development studio – 4DSOUND, from Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Poul Holleman is co-founder and technical director of the spatial sound and creative development studio, 4DSOUND. As a creative technologist, Poul focuses on the application of spatial sound to a variety of art forms, ranging from light installations to kinetic architecture and live performances. His work focuses on the continuous development and exploration of spatial sound as an emerging artistic medium, through the use of 4DSOUND technology. He is a lecturer in the Creative Systems Design programme at Utrecht University of the Arts (HKU). Next to his artistic achievements, Poul holds a Master’s degree in Cultural Sociology from the University of Amsterdam.

Salvador Breed creates and sculpts sound and technology for a wide field of contexts like live performances, fashion shows, video art, and interactive art installations. The Dutch artist preoccupies himself with the way acoustics, natural ambience, silence, and space enrich one another, using subtle means to expand our notions of listening, experiencing, and sensing. As a co-founder of spatial sound company 4DSOUND, he specializes in composing space as an important element of soundtracks – while pushing the technical possibilities in this field.

Poul and Salvador dive deep into the technical make-up of 4DSOUND software architecture along with their unique speaker system implementation and we explore the concept of using a physical space as an instrument.

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