Ambisonic radio plays
Production of ambisonic radio plays for blind children
Poznań Supercomputing and Networking Center started cooperation with School and Educational Center for Blind Children in Owińska and in March 2022 presented there two ambisonic radio plays. 360° sound, imitating authentic distribution of sounds in space, gave listeners opportunity to be fully immersed in a sound, so that they feel not only observers, but also participants of the story.
Specialists in the field of ambisonics at PSNC prepared two radio dramas for multi-channel playback, the sound design process of which was meticulously consulted with specialists who know the needs and hearing abilities of the blind.
To present productions PSNC specialists used a spherical installation with a diameter of 5 meters, consisting of 30 loudspeakers. This installation was built for the presentation at the centre.
Surround sound is a particularly important element in rehabilitation, early education and basic communication of blind and visually impaired people with the world around them. Sound imitations of authentic acoustic spaces (shops, airports, streets, railway stations) are the basic way and the first stage of help in learning spatial orientation. Then, children safely have the opportunity to make their first integration attempts, as well as develop the auditory skills of orientation in space, without exposing themselves to danger.
In addition to purely utilitarian aspects, sound is also a medium that gives entertainment to blind people, and radio plays are often called “Netflix for the blind”. The ambisonic technology made it possible to enrich the classic form of radio play.
Production team:
Marek Jakubowski (Special School and Educational Center for Blind Children) – specialist consultations in sound design for the blind
Gabriela Jelonek – script author and direction of the radio play “Modern Cinderella”
Wojciech Raszewski – ambisonic sound design
Jan Skorupa – ambisonic sound design
Anna Szamotuła (Festival of Radio Plays) – delivery and preparation of radio play “Żaba nie Śmieszka”