Sound Mapping

This Sound Map page is posted in conjunction with the Riverside Art Make 2014.  I am performing with the Motor Rhythms drum set as part of the Art Make on May 10th from 10am - 1pm.  The performance is at Orange Terrace Park in Riverside, Ca.   


Sound maps are digital geographical maps that put emphasis on the sonic representation of a specific location. Sound maps are created by associating landmarks (streets in a city, train stations, stores, pathways, factories, oil pumps, etc.) and soundscapes.  The term “soundscape” refers to the sonic environment of a specific locale. It may also refer to actual environments, or to abstract constructions such as musical compositions and tape montages, particularly when considered as an artificial environment. The objective of sound maps is to represent a specific environment using its soundscape as primary references as opposed to visual cues.  Sound maps are in many ways the most effective auditory archive of an environment (taken from Wikipedia).

This website The Music of Sound is a great resource for sound mapping information and websites. 

Here is a few sites that use Google Earth or similar interface to post sounds from all over the world.  

LIDO (Listen to the Deep) is an interactive map with underwater 

listening stations from all around the world.

Nature Sound Map  has animal and nature sounds like Glaciers from all the continents.

Radio Aporee  allows anyone to upload a sound and link it to a specific location.

Here are some examples of sound maps that have been turned into abstract art pieces.  For these sound maps the map grid lines have been removed and multiple colors were used to represent different types of sounds.  These paintings are from a Canadian artist named Lorraine Pritchard.  Find out more about the artist  HERE.   

Sound Map (Resonance)

Sound Map (Orchestration)

Sound Map (Wave)

Images from Craig Scott gallery