Research and Teaching activites

The SIAL Sound Studios' program spans three types of practice:

1. Spatial Sound Performance and Installations
2. Urban Soundscape Research and Design
3. Acoustic Design

Each practice is realised through a combination of undergraduate studios and electives, postgraduate research projects, and contract and government funded research projects. Public and industry engagement is achieved through conferences, presentations, public lectures, performances, installations and broadcasts.

For further details see projects or events pages.

The Facility
Equipment for the studios was provided by funds through a Systemic Infrastructure Initiative (SII) grant from the Federal Department of Education, Science and Technology. RMIT University has invested in the design and construction of the studios. In addition to the physical studios, offices and work spaces, the facility houses a 40 loud-speaker spatial sound diffusion system.

Studio Spaces

The Multi-user lab is for research staff and post-graduates working at individual workshops and in small groups. The space is used for meetings, desk tasks and small presentations.

The Pod is an 8 channel, near-anechoic, insulated space which serves as the studios' main listening space.  It is used for spatial sound production, composition, recording and small group presentations. Loudspeakers can be relocated around and above the central mixing location in project specific configurations.

n-Space is used for presentations, rehearsals, project preparations and lectures.  It can be configured for up to 16 channel system depending on requirements. 

The Small Studio is a four-channel space which allows projects to be developed beyond the means of the multi-user lab before moving to the Pod for final spatialisation, mixing, and mastering.

The Sound Diffusion System is used by staff, students and guests for concerts and research. The system has been used to present work from over 30 composers.  The system is made up of 40 loud-speakers of various specification and operated from digital control surfaces utilisting a purpose built Max/MSP patch.  The system also includes a hard-disk recording setup and a variety of microphones for capturing performances in ambisonic, stereo, or surround, with spot-micing as required. 

Hire-loan arrangements
Post-graduate students, staff and guests have access to the equipment for external projects once they have demonstrated their expertise and responsibility in operating equipment. Equipment in the facility is not available for external hiring or loans.