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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
Book cover


The ”Spatial Mixer”: Cross-Device Interactions for Mixing of Music.

Translated title

"Spatial Mixer": Cross-Device Interaktioner til at Mixe Musik

Authors

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Term

4. term

Education

Publication year

2016

Submitted on

Pages

95

Abstract

This thesis investigates how cross-device interactions can support spatial mixing in surround-sound music production. Building on the Stage Metaphor, we designed and developed Spatial Mixer, an iPad-based extension for Ableton Live that visualizes and manipulates source placement and panning as if sounds were positioned on a stage. We conducted a one-week study of use with five music-production students: each participant completed a baseline task in Ableton Live alone, then two tasks using Ableton Live with Spatial Mixer, followed by an interview; all sessions and screens were recorded and subsequently transcribed or logged for analysis. Thematic analysis across spatial mixing, cross-device use, workflow changes, touch interaction, mapping, differences between novice and expert users, and usability issues led to design implications for cross-device extensions in this context: understand the integration context, extend only the most valuable functionality while balancing complexity, make data easy to distinguish across devices, ensure robust communication and bidirectional mapping for consistent behavior between systems, consider touch-capable devices where appropriate, and use suitable metaphors to make interfaces more understandable. These insights can inform the design of cross-device interactions that extend DAWs for spatial mixing.

Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan cross-device interaktioner kan understøtte rumlig miksning i surround-lydproduktion. Med afsæt i Scenemetaforen designede og udviklede vi Spatial Mixer, en iPad-baseret udvidelse til Ableton Live, der visualiserer og lader brugeren manipulere placering og panorering, som om lydkilder stod på en scene. Vi gennemførte en en-uges brugsundersøgelse med fem studerende i musikproduktion: hver deltager udførte en baselineopgave i Ableton Live alene, derefter to opgaver med Ableton Live kombineret med Spatial Mixer, og afsluttede med et interview; alle sessioner og skærme blev optaget og efterfølgende transskriberet eller logget til analyse. Den tematiske analyse på tværs af rumlig miksning, cross-device brug, ændringer i arbejdsgange, touch-interaktion, mapping, forskelle mellem novice- og ekspertbrugere samt brugervenlighedsproblemer førte til en række designimplikationer for cross-device udvidelser i denne kontekst: forstå integrationskonteksten, udvælg og udvid kun den mest værdifulde funktionalitet og balancér kompleksitet, gør data lette at skelne på tværs af enheder, sikr robust kommunikation og tovejs mapping for ensartet adfærd mellem systemer, overvej touch-understøttede enheder hvor relevant, og brug passende metaforer for at gøre grænseflader mere forståelige. Disse indsigter kan informere design af cross-device interaktioner, der udvider DAW’er til rumlig miksning.

[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]