SpaceSound

Exploring Sound Design through Immersive Soundscape Creation

Download Paper (PDF) Find in GI Digital Library

SpaceSound Virtual Environment Illustration showing sound planets and satellites

Concept & Goal

Traditional music production tools often require complex technical knowledge, discouraging novice users from freely experimenting with sound design. SpaceSound is an interactive Virtual Reality installation that translates sound synthesis concepts into a spatial metaphor set in outer space. Users create ambient soundscapes by interacting with loop-based sound planets and attaching audio effect satellites into their orbits.

Duration

5 months project

Tools

Meta Quest 3 · Unity 6.0 LTS · FMOD Middleware · FL Studio 24 · Github · Figma

Harmonic Universe & Interactive Mechanics

The SpaceSound virtual environment features 6 planet sound sources (drums, pads, keys, bass, plucks, and arpeggiator) and 5 satellite effect categories (filter, chorus, reverb, tremolo, and distortion). To keep exploration engaging without overwhelming users, the system enforces a bounded creative space: all audio loops are harmonically pre-aligned, and state-based logic prevents stacking conflicting effect parameters.

SpaceSound System Architecture & Cheat Sheet

Sound Planets & Effect Satellites

Users grab satellites floating through space and move them into a planet's snapping zone. Vibrotactile feedback confirms snapping, after which the satellite orbits the planet and continuously modifies its underlying audio stream in real-time.

Spatial Immersion & Contextual Guidance

Pointing at any planet or satellite object brings up optional contextual info panels explaining the sound source or effect role. This enables active experiential learning without disrupting the immersive visual atmosphere.

Public Demonstration

SpaceSound was presented at the Mensch und Computer (MuC) 2026 conference in Duisburg, Germany, as a walk-up installation with a 10×5 m interaction area. After composing the soundscape, users could export it directly as an audio file via a QR code.

Live demonstration and testing at MuC 2026

Live Exhibition at MuC 2026.

Mensch und Computer 2026 Conference Poster

Published paper & presentation at MuC 2026.

Interested how it looks like? Watch a short demonstration of the interactive soundscape generation.