Listener Perception of Spatialised Audio for Embodied Interaction in Sonification

One underexplored method for examining sonification perception is through spatialised audio parameter mapping. To lower the entry threshold for listeners unfamiliar with sonification, binaural rendering of Ambisonic audio is employed as a spatialisation technique. A Pure Data patch was developed and a listener study was conducted to investigate participants’ experience of listening to the spatialised sonification of city air quality data. The results indicate there is a link between listener experience and quality of perception, indicating that future research should focus on developing listener skill. Spatial audio appears to have some influence on perception for musically-trained listeners, but this appears to be most effective as an extra factor supplementing the manipulation of other sonic parameters such as frequency. Binaural rendering was useful for introducing uninitiated listeners to sonification, but there was difficulty in replicating the experience of physical space.