MARSYAS3D: A prototype audio browser-editor using a large scale immersive visual and audio display

Abstract

Most audio editing tools offer limited capabilities for browsing and editing large collections of files. Moreover working with many audio files tends to clutter the limited screen space of a desktop monitor. In this paper we describe MARSYAS3D, a prototype audio browser and editor for large audio collections. A variety of 2D and 3D graphics interfaces for working with collections and/or individual files have been developed. Many of these interfaces are informed by automatic content-based audio analysis tools. Although MARSYAS3D can be used with a desktop monitor it has been specifically designed as an application for the Princeton Scalable Display Wall project. The current Display Wall system has an 8 x 18-foot rear projection screen with a resolution of 4096 x 1536 pixels. For sound a custom-made 16-speaker surround system is used. The users interact with the Wall using a variety of input methods. This immersive display allows for visual and aural presentation of detailed information for browsing and editing large audio collections and supports natural interactive collaborations among multiple simultaneous users.