SONICMAPS: CONNECTING THE RITUAL OF THE CONCERT HALL WITH A LOCATIVE AUDIO URBAN EXPERIENCE

Physical space is often used as a means for sound organization. Furthermore, our environment can be sonically augmented, highlighting hidden aspects of it or proposing a whole new reinterpretation. On this basis, we present SonicMaps, a new locative audio tool and complete solution for sound geolocation. Using a number of sensors on mobile devices, the SonicMaps application virtually places sounds into real space providing panning and amplitude information. These sounds are played back as we walk into predefined areas which can be overlapped into layers according to compositional purposes. A custom Dynamic Content Server (DCS) automatically updates audio files for selected locations according to a set of environment variables (time, temperature, etc.) creating a dynamic piece of music that emphasizes the link between sound materials and their assigned physical location. Additionally, a OSC module has been implemented in order to send users positions and sensor data to a remote server. This data can then be musically interpreted in a concert hall to establish creative links between distant spaces.