Audio Nomad

Abstract

Audio Nomad comprises a series of cross-disciplinary art/science projects working on the concept of GPS-driven location-based audio applications. Project outcomes in the form of artworks enable a user or audience to experience a virtual audio world situated within the real world, as a spatial composition of sounds seeming to originate from real objects. Two-dimensional audio spatialization simulates realistic sound sources, and non-spatialized sounds may also be used as location-based content. Conceptually, sound is used to reveal information or create an aesthetic, often composed of a combination of oral histories, archival audio, site-specific historical information, field recordings, and music. The outcome is a culturally significant public sound artwork utilizing this new location-based audio medium – an application of global positioning, audio technologies, and software engineering.

As GNSS technologies become more ubiquitous, Audio Nomad can take advantage of new platforms such as mobile phones. This unique multidisciplinary collaboration has driven the design of tools with great creative potential to provide new alternative location-based services poised to engage and appeal to the imagination of future GNSS users.