Sonic Materialities: The Physical Dimensions of Sound

Abstract

This research investigates the material dimensions of sound, examining how physical properties of materials influence sound production, propagation, and perception. By focusing on the tangible aspects of sonic experience, we develop a framework for understanding sound as a material phenomenon with specific physical characteristics and behaviors.

Introduction

Sound is often conceptualized in abstract terms, particularly in digital contexts where it becomes disembodied from its physical origins. This research returns to the material foundations of sound, exploring how different materials, spaces, and physical interactions shape sonic experiences.

Research Areas

Material Acoustics

Our investigations into material acoustics examine how different substances—woods, metals, ceramics, and synthetic materials—respond to vibration and contribute to the timbral characteristics of musical instruments. We have developed a taxonomy of material acoustic properties that extends beyond traditional classifications.

Embodied Sound

This strand of research focuses on how the human body interacts with sound as a physical phenomenon. Through a series of experiments in haptic feedback and bone conduction, we explore how sound is experienced not just through auditory channels but as a full-body sensory experience.

Architectural Acoustics

Our work in architectural acoustics examines how built environments shape sound propagation and perception. We have developed new methodologies for mapping acoustic properties of spaces and predicting how architectural modifications will influence sonic experiences.

Methodology

Our research combines acoustic measurement, perceptual studies, and artistic experimentation. We employ a range of technologies including:

1. High-resolution spectral analysis
2. Vibration measurement using laser vibrometry
3. Binaural recording techniques
4. 3D acoustic modeling

Findings

Key findings from our research include:

• The identification of previously undocumented relationships between material density and harmonic distribution in percussion instruments
• Evidence that tactile perception of sound significantly influences auditory judgment of timbral qualities
• Development of new acoustic treatment materials that selectively absorb specific frequency ranges while preserving architectural aesthetics

Conclusion

Understanding sound as a material phenomenon opens new possibilities for instrument design, architectural acoustics, and sonic art. By reconnecting with the physical dimensions of sound, we can develop more nuanced approaches to sonic creation and experience that acknowledge its fundamentally embodied nature.