Interdisciplinary Systems for Site-Specific Spatial Audio: Distributed Sound Architecture and Open Control Protocols
Deploying multichannel spatial audio systems in non-traditional architectural spaces—such as historic industrial warehouses, concrete tunnels, and open outdoor plazas—presents major technical challenges for traditional fixed-channel audio routing. This paper describes a modular, distributed spatial sound architecture built on open network protocols (Open Sound Control, Dante, and WebSockets). We present algorithms for real-time acoustic room correction, dynamic trajectory panning, and collaborative multi-user spatial performance interfaces.
1. Escaping the Traditional Concert Hall
Contemporary sound art has largely migrated from sterile concert halls into irregular, site-specific architectural spaces. These environments offer unique acoustic resonance, tactile textures, and spatial character, but break standard 5.1 and 7.1 channel assumptions. Spatial audio must become fluid, reconfigurable, and aware of room boundaries.
2. The Distributed Network Backbone
Our architecture deploys self-powered active loudspeaker pods connected via standard Ethernet switches. Each pod incorporates an internal DSP module, a 24-bit/96 kHz DAC, and a Class-D amplifier. Audio is streamed via Dante with deterministic 0.25 ms latency, while spatial trajectory coordinates are transmitted over OSC.
3. Dynamic Trajectory Panning Software
We developed an open-source spatialization suite running inside Max/MSP and as a standalone C++ audio server. Sound sources can be positioned and animated in 3D cartesian coordinates. The engine automatically calculates speaker weights using Distance-Based Amplitude Panning (DBAP) and High-Order Ambisonics (HOA), gracefully handling asymmetric speaker placements.
4. Public Sound Installations
We document the deployment of a 48-channel sound installation in an abandoned hydroelectric turbine hall. Visitors interacted with the spatial sound field through their mobile phones, shaping localized sonic vortices that drifted across the cavernous steel and concrete architecture.
References & Primary Citations
- Laurent, C. & Lindqvist, S. (2026). Site-Specific Spatial Audio Architectures. ZIAA Press.
- Zotter, F. & Frank, M. (2019). Ambisonics: A Practical Guide. Springer.
- Wright, M. & Freed, A. (1997). Open Sound Control: A New Protocol. ICMC.