Hearing Nano-Structures: A Case Study in Timbral Sonification

Citation

Schedel, M.; Yager, K.G. "Hearing Nano-Structures: A Case Study in Timbral Sonification" International Conference on Auditory Display 2012, 18 95–98.

Summary

We convert x-ray scattering data into sound, in order to explore whether timbral sonification can provide insight into abstract data.

Abstract

We explore the sonification of x-ray scattering data, which are two-dimensional arrays of intensity whose meaning is obscure and non-intuitive. Direct mapping of the experimental data into sound is found to produce timbral sonifications that, while sacrificing conventional aesthetic appeal, provide a rich auditory landscape for exploration. We discuss the optimization of sonification variables, and speculate on potential real-world applications.