The Perception, Evaluation and Creative Application of High Order Ambisonics in Contemporary Music Practice

The aims of this research residency were to test and evaluate the practical, perceptual and compositional use of higher order ambisonics. The work explored three main technical areas: very high order synthesised ambisonics sound-fields in 2D up to 12 order and 3D up to 9 order, near-field compensated higher order ambisonics and higher-order recorded sound-fields using the EigenMike. The following musical areas were investigated: distance information, enhanced spatial precision, detailed recorded sound-fields to capture accurate real-world spatial relationships and the control of sound points, motions and masses in relation to both timbre and ‘extra-musical’ meaning. The work was carried out in IRCAM’s Studio-1 installed with a 24loudspeaker hemisphere, and in the Espace de Projection, installed with a 75-loudspeaker hemisphere. Ambsionics synthesis was carried out using existing and specially implemented methods in IRCAM’s Spatialisateur. The residency period was for three months, carried out part-time over seven months. A concert work called Hidden Values was also composed. The residency was funded by IRCAM, Oslo Cultural Grant for International collaboration and the Norwegian Cultural Council. Hidden Values was composed with support from the Norwegian Composers’ Fund.