Adapting and Parameterising Auditory Icons for use in a Synthetic Musical Instrument

In this paper we describe the adaptation and parameterization of environmental
auditory event structures for use in a real-time musical synthesizer. In doing so,
we have developed a new software musical instrument based on the parametric representation
of ecological sound structures, and which facilitates the application of typically
non-musical auditory events in a musical context. Since this approach is to be realised
within a low-latency, performance oriented synthesizer, our aim is not the development
of computationally expensive physical models, but rather to effectively convey complex
auditory events using arrays of simple sinusoidal components, while still retaining the
key perceptual features of those events. By offering a performer ecologically-derived
parameter control, we aim to encourage an Everyday Listening approach to electronic
music performance, while also allowing the user to combine and develop typically unrelated
elements of environmental auditory events.