log#4_ Try-out at the zoo (Rotterdam Diergaarde Blijdorp)

After conducting preliminary research and gathering data, I integrated these ideas and proceeded to implement them on-site, in real-time, at the zoo.

# arduino noise sensor

To demonstrate the idea of the funeral soundscape design, I made a demo with max/msp. In this demo, the main focus is on the mapping of noise data. The open- source hardware arduino sensor max4466 is used to measure and receive noise data from the zoo in real time.

Incorporating an Arduino sensor and establishing communication between Max/MSP and Arduino allows me to use real-time noise data as a control signal to modulate the granular synthesis parameters, introducing interactivity and responsiveness to my granular design. Experiment with different sensor types, parameter mappings, and granular synthesis settings to create the funeral soundscape and environmental interactions.

In a stereo granulator, the range of noise level values output from the sensor was used to control and synthesis the grain size of the birdsong recording. Other sound elements including a drone, bird calls and sutra recitation, etc. These sounds were chosen to create an atmosphere and to imitate some sounds from a funeral ritual.

In this field research, while monitoring noise data, I observed that the values were not as high as anticipated. Only in areas with dense human activity, such as restaurants, amusement parks, or near highways, did the noise levels noticeably increase. The range of noise level values, obtained in real-time from the sensors, is used to control and synthesizer the granularity of the recorded bird songs in Max/MSP. Due to the relatively low level of ambient noise and its variation, I have adopted the use of microphones to pick up ambient sound in later technical adjustments and improvements.