5 Track Soundscape – National Trust Tyntesfield

National Trust Tyntesfield came to blackbox hoping to create a more immersive visitor experience in one of the many impressive rooms located around the Tyntesfield ‘house’, although that term doesn’t exactly do this impressive structure justice. Built in the 1830’s, the house (then a Georgian mansion) was bought by England’s richest commoner; William Gibbs, and expanded until it eventually became the amazing Grade I listed Victorian house you can explore today.

We were commissioned to install a 5 track Soundscape in one particular Drawing Room located on the ground floor of the house, we were also given the task of scripting, recording and editing the audio for the soundscape.

The plan was to use various audio tracks played at 4 separate locations around the room to recreate the atmosphere of some good old fashioned get-togethers.

There’s an underlying background track played through every speaker which changes between piano music and the general hubbub of a party, this fades in and out whilst the 4 other tracks switch between different conversations dotted around the room, coming in at various times and altering levels. Above is a sample of the background track and audio played through speaker 1.

Audio is easily added to each of the 5 channels with the use of separate MicroSD cards, then output to 4 high quality atmospheric loudspeakers. Each channel also has an easily adjusted volume setting, this allows precise controls over the resulting audio experience.

The effect was exactly as hoped, conversations can be heard arising from around the room, short snippets of conversation rising above the underlying background noise of a party or piano. There are plans to take things a step further in future and re-arrange the room, adding more tangible objects that coincide with the audio being played.