Immersive Soundscapes with Networked Vibrating Panels: Bridging Place and Space

This paper presents the "Sound, Music and Sciences" (SMS) Lisbon workshop, a research-creation case study aimed at developing student skills in interdisciplinary practice. The project successfully engaged students in collaborative multi-channel soundscape composition, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application. The work culminated in a sound installation presented as part of the NOVA Contemporary Music Meeting (NCMM 2025). The system was developed using frugal technologies (networked Raspberry Pis and a 16-channel vibrating panel system) specifically to democratize access to spatial practice for students. This setup proved to be economical, lightweight, and portable, making multi-channel diffusion accessible and pedagogically effective. Its channel-based spatialization, while simpler than advanced algorithmic techniques, offered effective discrete source placement and immersion with negligible processing latency. The evaluation suggested significant audience engagement, characterized by cognitive intrigue, sensations of travel, and spatial rediscovery of Lisbon. The installation's spatial nature fostered listener movement and social interaction. While the "unusual and hidden Lisbon" theme presented a paradox for local residents, the foreign composers found ample opportunities for exploration. Participants experienced parallel sensations of spatial displacement ("going somewhere") alongside a rediscovery of a city with which they were already familiar. Despite this, the feedback received was overwhelmingly positive, underscoring the approach's potential to foster engagement and inspire future creative projects.