There is little evidence of the role that sound in interfaces may play in our tendency to anthropomorphize animated or static objects. This paper explores the influence of sound on perceptions of animacy, anthropomorphism, and related dimensions in user interfaces. Across two studies, a total of 533 participants interacted with simulated parking meter and vending machine interfaces under one of three sound conditions: no sound, interface sounds, or anthropomorphized sounds. Results indicate that while sound had no significant effect on anthropomorphism, it significantly enhanced perceptions of animacy and likeability, particularly when anthropomorphized sounds were used. These findings highlight the role of sound in fostering emotional engagement and lifelikeness in interfaces, with implications for designing more dynamic and engaging user experiences.
The Conduction Series is a collaborative live radio broadcast produced by sound and transmission artists across the Americas on Wave Farm'sWGXC 90.7-FM Radio for Open Ears in New York's Upper Hudson Valley. The collective comes together on the first Friday of every month at 3:02pm ET using a custom web audio platform. Emphasizing live interactivity and media archaeological methods, our work explores the possibilities of remote sonic collaboration at scale and across borders. This paper discusses the history of and motivation behind our project, and the mixed methods we employ that place the development of bespoke network audio software in conversation with ongoing creative practices in live performance.
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a tingling sensation in the neck and spine often triggered by specific sounds. This paper reports a study on the impact of different cyclic patterns and spatial orientations-defined here as the perceived directionality and motion of sound sources in a three-dimensional auditory space-on inducing ASMR experiences. The results demonstrate that both the type of cyclic pattern and the spatial orientation significantly influence the intensity and nature of ASMR experiences. Furthermore, the research explores synthesizing ASMR-inducing sounds while preserving key audio characteristics from acoustically recorded ASMR content. Through survey data analysis and regression modeling, distinct patterns emerge regarding the relationship between personality traits and ASMR experience. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of ASMR as a sensory phenomenon and provide insights into the potential applications of artificially generated ASMR stimuli. Additionally, the research sheds light on the role of spatiality in ASMR experiences and the synthesis of ASMR-inducing sounds for future studies and practical applications.
The layout of the Audio Mixing Interface (AMI) has remained consistent since it was first conceived over 50 years ago. Whilst usability studies have evaluated alternative AMI designs against this established paradigm, they often lack a holistic perspective. Recently, user experience approaches have been used in ethnographic studies to explore the way music producers use technology. This qualitative study explores novice users experience of mixing popular music. Data was collected via a survey, the user experience questionnaire, and semi-structured group interviews after completing a mixing task with a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and analogue mixing console. The analysis revealed that the participants favoured the analogue AMI over the DAW but there were numerous issues with both AMIs. Navigating the AMI, particularly with the DAW, was the biggest reported issue. Furthermore, the DAW's adaptation of the analogue mixing console does not fully translate, partly due to the lack of tactile control. Novice users enjoyed the additional visual feedback provided by the DAW, specifically for EQ. These findings highlight novice AMI users needs, which are only partly met by the DAWand analogue mixing console. Ideally novice users require a combination of the simplified and tactile experience of the analogue AMI combined with the data visualisation enhanced visual feedback of the DAW to provide a more learnable AMI.
