Surrounded by sound: the aesthetics of multichannel and hypersonic soundscapes and aural architectures

Abstract

This article explores multichannel sound and hypersonic audio and investigates the impact that cinematic technologies have had on our sonic perception and appreciation. The core methodology of these explorations has been through practice, and the evolution of a 7.1 surround sound and hypersonic composition and installation: auditoryum (Sarah Atkinson and Marley Cole, 2010). Through reflection upon this practice, this article addresses the ways in which auditoryum has foregrounded and extended theories of the soundscape and aural architecture. It will also discuss the impact of audio-related technological developments on soundtrack and sound design aesthetics, principles and practice.