Sorrel Hoare: Sound Design & Acoustics Research

Research

Motivation

My main research interest relates to auralisation using physical modelling. The applications for realistic auralisation are vast, and those I am particularly motivated by relate to soundscape; There is no doubt that the world is getting `noisier', but must this mean a descent into ugliness?

I believe that approaches to managing environmental noise should also address the possibility of transforming it somehow, in order to create healthy and pleasant soundscapes. This belief has led me to investigate sonic crystals for their potential use as a noise `intervention', and, more specifically, to look at ways of auralising the structures to aid the creative and analytical processes involved in their design.

For a comprehensive but easy to understand description of my research, you may wish to read the article ‘PhD Unplugged’ which is published on my blog.

Current & ongoing projects

WASPAA 2011 Submission

The following files are referenced in a recent submission for WASPAA 2011, `Auralisation of Sonic Crystals through Simulation of Acoustic Band Gaps in 2-Dimensional Periodic Scattering Arrays'. Examples of environmental noise are convolved with Impulse Responses obtained in 2D FDTD simulations before and after the insertion of a 6x10 sonic crystal (SC) array.

• Audio file: White noise - convolution before inclusion of the SC
• Audio file: White noise - convolution after inclusion of the SC
• Supporting figure: Spectogram of IR
• Supporting figure: Spectogram of untreated white noise
• Supporting figure: Spectogram of white noise post convolution
• Audio file: Industrial unit - convolution before inclusion of the SC
• Audio file: Industrial unit - convolution after inclusion of the SC
• Audio file: Forklift truck - convolution before inclusion of the SC
• Audio file: Forklift truck - convolution after inclusion of the SC
• Audio file: Car passing - convolution before inclusion of the SC
• Audio file: Car passing - convolution after inclusion of the SC
• Audio file: Bayswater Road - convolution before inclusion of the SC
• Audio file: Bayswater Road - convolution after inclusion of the SC

Past projects

• `Study of the Effect of Source Directivity on the Perception of Sound in a Virtual Free-Field', Sorrel Hoare, Alex Southern and Damian Murphy, proceedings of 128th AES Convention, London, 2010