Innovation in Music Conference 2019/University of West London
Abstract
Procedural audio has been the subject of significant contemporary interest, but prior examples
in relation to theatre sound are limited. After providing background to theatre sound and
procedural audio, we introduce two artefacts, RayGun and INTERIOR, that explore issues
around theatre sound. RayGun is an augmented prop prototype that uses sensor driven,
procedurally generated and locally diffused sound to address prior deficiencies. INTERIOR
reimagines Maurice Maeterlinck’s 1895 play Interior as an embedded, generative and largely
procedurally generated audio play housed in a shortwave radio-like artefact. Intended to provide
an accessible experience, the listener uses a single knob interface to scan through a soundscape
of simulated radio stations and ‘find’ the play. We present some initial findings and conclude
with suggestions for future work