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NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY Compositional Possibilities of New Interactive and Immersive Digital Formats A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE BIENEN SCHOOL OF MUSIC IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS for the degree DOCTOR OF MUSICAL ARTS Program of Composition By Daniel R. Dehaan EVANSTON, IL (June 2019) 2 Abstract From 2008 to 2019, a range of new interactive and immersive digital formats that present new possibilities for musical and artistic expression have become available. In order to begin the work of uncovering what new compositional and experiential possibilities are now possible, this document will examine each format’s core concepts and tools, cataloging the current state of related technologies. It also provides a survey of each format’s representative works, including a discussion of my original and evolving work for virtual reality, Infinite Void. The ultimate goal of this dissertation is to serve as a point of departure for composers interested in working with and influencing the direction that musical and creative expression will take in these immersive and interactive digital environments. 3 Acknowledgments This document would not have been possible without countless individuals to whom I owe more than just the acknowledgements of this page. To my committee members, Chris Mercer, Hans Thomalla, and Stephan Moore, who made themselves available from all corners of the globe and encouraged me to keep going even when it seemed like no end was in sight. To Donna Su, who kept me on track and moving forward throughout my entire time at Northwestern. To my readers, Nick Heinzmann and Caleb Cuzner, without whom I don’t think I would have ever been able to finish. To my partner, Brianna Tonner, who has supported and loved me through it all—even the Italian operas. And finally, to my family, who has always encouraged my love for music. 4 Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................... 31 Sound Localization and Spatialization ......................................... 34 2.1 Spatial Perception..................................................................................................... 34 2.1.1 Lateral Perception ........................................................................................................................ 35 Amplitude ............................................................................................................................................. 35 Timing .................................................................................................................................................. 35 Onset Timing .................................................................................................................................... 35 Interaural Phase Relationships ......................................................................................................... 36 2.1.2 Front/Back and Elevation ............................................................................................................. 37 Direction Selective Filters ..................................................................................................................... 37 Head-Related Transfer Functions .......................................................................................................... 37 Head Motion ......................................................................................................................................... 38 2.1.3 Distance....................................................................................................................................... 38 Loudness .............................................................................................................................................. 38 Initial Time Delay ................................................................................................................................. 39 The Ratio of Direct Sound to Reverberation .......................................................................................... 39 Motion Parallax .................................................................................................................................... 39 High-Frequency Attenuation ................................................................................................................. 39 2.2 Audio Delivery Systems ........................................................................................... 40 2.2.1 Personal Delivery Systems ........................................................................................................... 40 Closed-Back Headphones ...................................................................................................................... 40 Open-Back Headphones ........................................................................................................................ 41 Earbuds ................................................................................................................................................ 41 In-Ear Monitors .................................................................................................................................... 41 2.2.2 External Delivery Systems ........................................................................................................... 41 Standard Speaker Configurations ........................................................................................................... 43 Stereo ............................................................................................................................................... 43 Quadraphonic .................................................................................................................................. 43 5.1 Surround Sound .......................................................................................................................... 43 Octaphonic ....................................................................................................................................... 44 5 Further Channel Expansion ................................................................................................................... 44 2.3 Distribution Formats ................................................................................................ 44 2.3.1 Compressed vs. Uncompressed .................................................................................................... 45 Lossless ................................................................................................................................................ 45 Lossy .................................................................................................................................................... 46 File Container Formats .......................................................................................................................... 46 2.3.2 Discrete vs. Matrixed ................................................................................................................... 47 2.3.3 Ambisonics .................................................................................................................................. 47 Zeroth-Order .................................................................................................................................... 48 First-Order (FOA) ............................................................................................................................ 48 Second-Order (SOA) ........................................................................................................................ 48 Third-Order (TOA) ........................................................................................................................... 48 Higher-Orders (HOA) ...................................................................................................................... 49 Ambisonic Formats ............................................................................................................................... 49 A-Format ......................................................................................................................................... 49 B-Format ......................................................................................................................................... 49 C-Format (Consumer Format) .......................................................................................................... 49 D-Format ......................................................................................................................................... 49 G-Format (Geoffrey’s Format) ......................................................................................................... 50 Additional Formats........................................................................................................................... 50 Pros and Cons of Ambisonics ................................................................................................................ 51 2.3.4 Binaural Audio ............................................................................................................................ 52 2.4 Spatialization Techniques ......................................................................................... 52 2.4.1 External Delivery Systems ..........................................................................................................