Audio in the UCSB CNSI AlloSphere

Stephen T. Pope

Media Arts & Technology

UC Santa Barbara

Date: Friday, October 21, 2005
Place: Buchanan 1930
Time: 2:00 pm — 3:00 pm (Refreshments served at 1:30 pm)

Abstract:
The UCSB AlloSphere is a joint effort of the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) and the graduate program in Media Arts and Technology (MAT) at the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB). It is currently under construction, with completion scheduled for the first half of 2006. The AlloSphere is designed as an immersive computational interface for 10 to 20 users, featuring surround-sound data sonification and immersive visualization (i.e., 3D audio and video projection) on a spherical surface. It will provide interactive control by the means of microphone arrays, cameras, and mechanical, and magnetic input tracking. The actual shape of the AlloSphere can be described as two hemispheres with 16-foot radii pulled 8 feet apart, placed in a 3-story anechoic chamber. A 7-foot-wide bridge runs across the center, supporting the users. This talk describes the requirements for the audio component of the AlloSphere, introduces the three prevalent spatial sound processing technologies in use today, and outlines the AlloSphere audio input and projection design and implementation plan, from low-level transducer elements to high-level network protocols.

For more information, visit http://www.mat.ucsb.edu/~stp

STEPHEN T. POPE is a senior research specialist and composer at the Center for Research in Electronic Art Technology (CREATE), in the Dept. of Music at UC Santa Barbara, a lecturer in the UCSB Graduate Program in Media Arts and Technology, former editor-in-chief of Computer Music Journal, published by the MIT Press, and a software developer and consultant through The Nomad Group. He is also a practicing Quaker, an active conscientious objection counselor, and a trained Reiki practitioner.