Chowning Revisited

A spatial audio prototype in Max/MSP

The system is inspired by the works of John Chowning from the 1970’s with his piece “Turenas”, one of the first spatial audio compositions. Special focus lies on creating the perception of spatial deph and movement, through dynamic reverb and the doppler effect.

In contrast to its paragon of the 70’s it processes incoming signals in real time, wich enables not only usage for fixed media, but also live performance. Different instruments were explored and different methods of influencing the spatialisation via the the input signal and hence the playing technique were implemented

This research culminated in form of a experimental musical performance with Quirin Nebas on drums and Yinjun Zhang on electric piano at HAW’s anual Rundgang Finkenau expedition in 2019.