MediaArtTutorials

W9 - Multi-Channel Installation Design — Part 1 (Concept + Sound)

Objective

In Part 1 (Week 9), you will design the concept and spatial layout of your multi-channel installation and create the sound compositions for each speaker.

Part 2 - Week 10 will focus on implementing this design in Blender and producing the final installation simulation.

Tutorial time may be used to begin or complete this activity depending on your tutorial day. Some work is expected outside of class.

Materials Required

Computer (laptop or desktop) + Computer mouse (recommended)
Headphones
Reaper (free software)
📄 LFS Empty-With Floor Plywood
Paper + pen (preferred) or digital drawing tool

Activities

Complete the following in order. Ask your professor or TA for help as needed.

[15 min] Installation Concept | Spatial Intentions — Start Here

Write 1-pharragraph (250-300 words / approximately half a page) defining your installation concept.

Your paragraph must clearly address:

What kind of atmosphere are you constructing?
How will audiences move through the space?
How do sound, light, and geometric objects interact spatially?
How can you define two or three distinct zones within the installation where sound and light create different moods, intensities, or levels of intimacy?

Be specific.
Describe spatial relationships, not narrative meaning.
Focus on how the environment functions as an embodied experience.

[30 min] Installation Floor Map

You are designing an immersive environment in which audiences physically navigate the space through two to three clearly defined installation zones.

You must produce:

A top-view floor map using this 📄LFS Empty – With Floor Plywood template
A lighting cue list for each light (2–3 loop cues per light)
A perspective drawing of each object group (1–3 groups per zone required)

Your floor map must consider:

Electrical outlet locations (if needed)
Speaker placement in relation to power access
A clear audience circulation path
2-3 defined zones

Each zone must include:

1-2 speakers (labeled SPK1, SPK2, SPK3, etc.)
1-3 groups of objects, each can have 2–3 geometric objects (labeled GRP1, GRP2, GRP3, etc.)
1–2 corresponding lights per group of objects (labeled L1, L2, L3, etc.)

Each light must include:

2–3 looped cue states that function as a repeating installation cycle.
Include color, intensity, and transition per cue.

Example

You are not copying the example — you are using it as a reference for how to clearly communicate lighting decisions and cue logic.

⚠️ Your drawing skill is not graded.
You are graded on clarity of spatial logic and use of technical vocabulary.

[40-60 min] REAPER — Multi-Channel Composition

You must create separate sound compositions, one per speaker.

Requirements

Duration: 10-20 seconds
No panning
Each track must function independently while contributing to a shared spatial atmosphere
Continue using sound samples from FREESOUND
You are expected to apply techniques learned in W7 and W8
Avoid duplicating the same sound across all speakers. Think in spatial zones
Optional: You may follow the new tutorial below if you would like to record your own sounds

Export

Export each speaker composition as a separate WAV file:

Lastname-Firstname-W9-SPK-1.wav
Lastname-Firstname-W9-SPK-2.wav
Lastname-Firstname-W9-SPK-3.wav
Lastname-Firstname-W9-SPK-4.wav

Tutorial

You may use your laptop’s built-in microphone to record sound.
For higher audio quality, you are encouraged to book a USB microphone.
The Snowball microphone is available for free through the Media Equipment Rentals at the Lyons New Media Centre (Mills Library).
Book here: Lyons New Media Centre: Media Rooms and Equipment

Submission Documents — Part 1

Create a single PDF including the following:

1. Installation Concept (250–300 words)

Title of the Installation
Name of the Artist (your full name)
One paragraph clearly defining:
- your spatial intentions
- audience movement
- zone differentiation
- how sound and light function across the installation

2. Floor Plan + Lighting Cue List (Full Page)

The floor plan must occupy one full page
Must include:
- labeled speaker locations (SPK1–SPK4)
- labeled light placements (L1–L6)
- object placements
- audience circulation path
- clearly defined zones

Include a lighting cue list for each light (2–3 looped cues per light).

The floor plan and cue lists must be clean, readable, and clearly labeled.

3. Sound Sample Credits

For each sound sample used, include:

Title
Creator
Source link
License information

➡️ Export as PDF
Lastname-Firstname-W9.pdf

Component	File Name
Project document (PDF)	`Lastname-Firstname-W9.pdf`
Audio files	`Lastname-Firstname-W9-SPK-1.wav`
	`Lastname-Firstname-W9-SPK-2.wav`
	`Lastname-Firstname-W9-SPK-3.wav`
	`Lastname-Firstname-W9-SPK-4.wav`

⚠️ Follow submission protocols carefully. Incorrect submissions may result in lost points.

Assessment

Spatial Installation Design

Clear organization of two to three distinct zones, with intentional placement of speakers, geometric objects, lights, and audience circulation within the LFS layout.

Multi-Channel Sound Logic

Separate sound compositions per speaker function independently while contributing to a cohesive spatial atmosphere. Clear zone differentiation.

Light Loop Design

Each light includes 2–3 clearly defined looped cue states (colour, intensity, transition) that support the spatial atmosphere of the installation.

Spatial Planning & Floor Map

The floor plan clearly communicates speaker placement, object groups, lighting positions, and the audience circulation path.

Documentation & Technical Accuracy

Correct file naming, clear floor map and cue lists, and complete sound sample credits.

Credits: Jessica A. Rodríguez

AI Disclosure:
AI Disclosure: ChatGPT was used for editing and clarity only. No original course content was generated using AI.