Virtual Music Space

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Virtual Musical Spaces in Virtual Environments

In this dynamic and interdisciplinary course, we explore the intersection of music composition, sound design, and extended environment development. Our focus is on creating immersive and expressive digital spaces where music and sonic elements come alive.

 Throughout the one-week workshop, we will delve into spatial soundscapes, interactive composition, design thinking, and the fascinating world of extended realities using Unity and Audiokinetic Wwise with Oculus VR glasses. We aim to break free from traditional musical forms, embracing generative algorithms, real-time synthesis, and adaptive music. Possible questions that might arise in this context include how to compose music that responds to user actions or environmental cues, and how the terminology of "musical instruments" could be redefined in a virtual context.

 As a member of an interdisciplinary team comprising composers, game audio designers, and XR programmers, you will develop a product prototype from scratch. This journey begins with brainstorming and conceptualization before progressing to the production and development phases. The course will conclude with a public presentation of the prototyped product on Friday afternoon.

Lecturer: 

Thomas Aichinger

Thomas Aichinger is a Spatial Audio Designer, Sound Designer, Composer and the founder of scopeaudio and Sonic Traces. He studied Media Arts at the University of Applied Arts in Salzburg and worked at several studios in Austria and Switzerland, where he was responsible for audio post production and sound design of cinema and TV productions.
During his time in Basel Thomas Aichinger gained experience in the field of multichannel sound installations working, for instance, on projects for the BMW Museum. Since 2016 Thomas focuses on designing 3D audio environments for VR/AR/XR. Recently, he released a location based augmented audio application, called SONIC TRACES, a 6DoF AR Audio Experience where users can walk through sound stories. Thomas Aichinger also teaches at the Royal Conservatory The Hague and the Central European University.

www.sonictraces.com / www.scopeaudio.com

Oliver Schmellenkamp

Oliver Schmellenkamp has been working as a composer and sound designer in the games industry for 15 years. He has worked on over 150 games so far. Mobile games, XBox or Nintendo games and slot games can be found in his portfolio.

He is Univ.-Prof. and head of the media music department at the Jam Music Lab Private University in Vienna. His focus here is on game audio and film music, storytelling through music and audio implementation in games.

Shorts

Univ.-Professor and Head of the Media Music Department at the Jam Lab Private University in Vienna.
Game Music and Sound Design for over 150 Games like Nintendo, Xbox and Dark Knight.
Film Music for TV and Streaming like Netflix, ZDF and National Geographic.
Audio Logos for American and European TV and Radio Stations.
Concert Music for the renowned Universal Edition Vienna.
Song Writing for Advertisements like Audi and Air Berlin.
Science: Music and Storytelling. The Semantics of Harmony in Hollywood Scores.