sampling vents

The following presents some virtual studies of how the potentially unwanted sound of ventilation units can be sampled, modulated and played back in order to mask unwanted sound, such as the sound from the ventilation unit itself, or road traffic noise. The examples below highlight contexts where the modulated sound could be either a passive or interactive sound art installation depending on the existing and potential activities of the users of the space.

Generally, a passive sound art installation is imagined to be calming, relaxing, potentially interesting and often in a location where individuals are more likely to pass by (but may take a seat if one exists), whilst an interactive installation is imagined to be a bit more energetic, interesting and perhaps encourage passers-by to take the time to explore the sound further, potentially re-composing the acoustic environment. 

Locations selected are likely to experience a constant sound emitted from the ventilation unit. Audio samples represent the source ventilation unit sound before it has been modulated and then presented in the virtual experience audio. The virtual experience audio examples begin with a few seconds of only the existing ambient sound in context before the modulated audio is faded in to demonstrate the potential effect of the suggested installation.

Please use headphones!

Key words: unwanted sound, passive, placemaking, walking, masking, interactive, tonal, broadband, calming, relaxing, interesting, energetic 

(Thanks to Stantec UK for the use of a sound level meter which supported this exploration).

M Shed (rear, opposite Cargo)

Audio sample:

Altered acoustic environment:

A potentially interesting, hazy and relaxing arpeggiated sound fabric to mask the ‘quiet’ but sharp tone of the existing vent, as well as, occasional passing vehicles, adding something new to the generally busy pedestrian walkway behind M Shed and adjacent to Cargo.

Museum Street (rear of Olive Shed)

Audio sample:

Altered acoustic environment:

Audio recorded from a fairly broadband sounding vent with subtle mid-bass tones is modulated and then mixed into the original audio sample to create a potentially calming and ethereal backdrop that intends to accompany the sweet birdsong along Museum Street. The modulated sound has potential to mask the occasional passing cars that travel alongside the pedestrian walkway.

Brunel Square

Audio sample:

Altered acoustic environment:

Here, the title of the article does bend a little bit as an air conditioning fan unit is used rather than a ventilation unit. Further whilst the unit’s timbre may not be particularly perturbing, its modulated sound in context of Brunel Square may (by emulating the sound of coastal tides) reflect the existing relaxing atmosphere of the Harbourside with long drawn out waves of sound that individuals visiting the area may experience when walking or taking a seat by the water.

Sydney Row

Audio sample:

Altered acoustic environment:

Discernibly piercing and ‘loud’ (according to the sound level meter) noise propagates from the ventilation unit to the west of Sydney Row to the east of the street. Being a little tricky to extract chordal tones due to the nature of the original sound and as the context only realises itself for passing by, a potentially interesting,  experimental and harmonious sound texture tries to interpret and compete with the noise from the ventilation unit to potentially distract pedestrians from the sound of the ventilation unit itself.

Cumberland Road (Spike Island Gallery)

Audio sample:

Altered acoustic environment:

An energetic, fun and potentially engaging sound adjacent to the contemporary art gallery (Spike Island) has the potential to mask sound from Cumberland Road (and to some degree Coronation Road to the south) for passers by or those enjoying a seated afternoon tea. The modulated sound evolves and changes, from a calming ethereal fabric into a slightly more energetic pulsing sound potentially encouraging interactive sonic art participation.

Thank you for your time. There may be more locations to come…