Nature soundscapes: An audio augmented reality experience

Lawton, M, Cunningham, S ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5348-7700 and Convery, I (2020) Nature soundscapes: An audio augmented reality experience. In: Proceedings of the 15th International Audio Mostly Conference (AM'20), 15 September 2020 - 17 September 2020, Graz, Austria.

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Abstract

© 2020 ACM. Augmented Reality (AR) has developed to be a popular and exciting technology domain, gaining notable public interest from 2009 to the present day. AR applications have traditionally focused upon paradigms that are visually led. In this paper, we document an Audio Augmented Reality (AAR) project, which considers soundscapes and how they might be transformed via the application of music and sound technologies. This work is concerned with the augmentation of nature soundscapes and explores how this may be used to enhance public understanding of the natural world. At present, we are concerned with the augmentation of spaces with biophony. Two examples of acoustic augmented reality are described: An initial pilot study to investigate the feasibility of the approach and an installation at the Timber International Forest Festival 2019. A technical description of each is provided alongside our own reflection and participant feedback, garnered from a soundwalk inspired approach to evaluation by audiences at the festival.