The sound of your stuff: designing a complex auditory display for an interactive museum exhibit

We describe the design and implementation of a complex sonic environment for Portable Effects, a museum exhibit consisting of several interactive stations. The installation employs different types of auditory display in combination, as navigational aids or as auditory representations of actions and processes. Three aspects of the work are discussed: determining appropriate types of sounds and their mappings to particular actions and processes; adjusting sonic content, placement, and balance for maximum effect; and most importantly, integrating the individual stations into a cohesive aural experience.