Public sound objects: A shared musical space on the web

Abstract

In this paper we describe "The Public Sound Objects" project and its context. This project, which is currently under development, approaches Internet collaborative music performance, going beyond most common paradigms where the network is mainly used as a channel to provide a connection between performative spaces. The system will provide an on-line public performance space where people can be found participating in an ongoing collaborative sonic event. The users connected to this installation control a server side synthesis engine through a web-based interface. The resulting "Sound Objects" form a sonic piece that is then streamed back to each user. The user takes the role of a performer and his contribution has a direct and unique influence on the overall resulting soundscape. This ongoing event is also played back at the installation for a live audience, with added contextual elements such as sound spatialization and metaphorical visual representations of current participants.