Sound Straight Ahead: Parametric Speakers in Two Soundscape Installations

This article concerns the realization of two sound installations that use a parametric (directional) loudspeaker as a central element of their working systems. The Soundhouse is a rotating structure that projects sounds in a directional way. El bosque y las sombras is instead an interactive multimedia setting where the visitors can trigger sounds and affect a video projection by moving in an enclosed, soundproofed space. A short introduction to parametric loudspeakers is provided; then the concept and the construction aspects of both installations are presented. Finally, an overall aesthetic assessment of the use of parametric loudspeakers in the above works is given.