SoundField

SoundField is a visual audio mixer. It displays sounds as circular surfaces.

The graphical representation of sound brings concepts to audio that are traditionally more related to other fields, such as proximity, boundary, overlap and placing.

Download version 1.2
Price: free

Mac
Requirements: Mac OS 9, QuickTime
Download (6.0 MB)

Windows
Requirements: Windows 95/98/ME, QuickTime
Download (6.4 MB)

ReadMe file

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About

Most audio mixing programs mimic physical audio mixers, presenting a series of knobs and sliders to control a dozen or so tracks. But a computer screen gives you only one mouse pointer to control this apparatus, instead of 10 fingers. It is almost impossible to do a live mix with such an interface, and one must resort to do the mixing in sequential recorded steps. SoundField has almost no controls and makes audio mixing an intuitive, interactive and emersive process - enabling you to get 'into the sound'.

Technical data

SoundField is made with Macromedia Director, version 8.0. It uses QuickTime to play audio files, and the Director Xtra MultiMixer to allow for panning the sounds.

SoundField plays up to 12 audio (MP3) files from a hard disk. The length of each audio file can be up to 20 minutes, possibly longer.

Version history

Version 1.2 June 2002. Created distributed version. Minor interface changes.
Version 1.1 May 2001. Added saving a pref state.
Version 1.0 November 2000. Added panning.
Version 0.9 August 2000. First release (performance) during my working period on the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten, Amsterdam.

Freeware notice

This program is distributed as freeware, meaning you are able to use, copy, and share it at no cost. You can distribute it freely provided that you do not charge for it. SoundField is not in the public domain and the author retains all rights to the program.