FM-89.5, Sound Masking for Road & Expressway
This was a month long radio transmission and exhibit presented in June 1999. Although never officially part of the Intermod Series, it was a catalyst for what came later. Below is the text from the show. The transmitter was 25 watts and ran 24 hrs. a day.
Sound Masking
Sound masking is the use of one noise to prevent the audibility of another.
Radio Broadcast
Considering that automobiles dominate a city’s acoustical environment, custom sound masking tracks have been created to match and blanket these tonal and noise levels. These tracks are being broadcast 24 hours a day over FM 89.5 for the month of June. The area of radio reception surrounds the TBA Exhibition Space by several miles in all directions.
There are six different masking tracks, each one responding to common conditions encountered during the time of transmission. For example, early morning (2am-6am) is less dense and quieter than rush hour (6am-9am, 3pm-6pm). An interval signal will be broadcast at the beginning of every hour. In addition to this broadcast schedule, a special masking track for weather will be transmitted during rainstorms. A limited edition CD of this project is available.
Broadcast Schedule
morning: 2am-6am
am rush hour: 6am-9am
mid-day: 9am-3pm
pm rush hour: 3pm-6pm
evening: 6pm-10pm
night: 10pm-2am
The Booth
The transmitting equipment is stationed in the booth that is positioned in the gallery space. This booth has been designed to be lightweight, portable, and modular. It is a prototype for fiberglass construction, using one mold to cast all four sections. Cable is running from the booth to an antenna, which is mounted on the roof.
Technical Assistance:
Thank you: Bill Milosz for the radio transmitting equipment and technical know-how. Ernst Long for helping to create the masking tracks. Robb Drinkwater with Splinter Group Audio.
Sound Sample (am rush hour):
Sound Masking
Sound masking is the use of one noise to prevent the audibility of another.
Radio Broadcast
Considering that automobiles dominate a city’s acoustical environment, custom sound masking tracks have been created to match and blanket these tonal and noise levels. These tracks are being broadcast 24 hours a day over FM 89.5 for the month of June. The area of radio reception surrounds the TBA Exhibition Space by several miles in all directions.
There are six different masking tracks, each one responding to common conditions encountered during the time of transmission. For example, early morning (2am-6am) is less dense and quieter than rush hour (6am-9am, 3pm-6pm). An interval signal will be broadcast at the beginning of every hour. In addition to this broadcast schedule, a special masking track for weather will be transmitted during rainstorms. A limited edition CD of this project is available.
Broadcast Schedule
morning: 2am-6am
am rush hour: 6am-9am
mid-day: 9am-3pm
pm rush hour: 3pm-6pm
evening: 6pm-10pm
night: 10pm-2am
The Booth
The transmitting equipment is stationed in the booth that is positioned in the gallery space. This booth has been designed to be lightweight, portable, and modular. It is a prototype for fiberglass construction, using one mold to cast all four sections. Cable is running from the booth to an antenna, which is mounted on the roof.
Technical Assistance:
Thank you: Bill Milosz for the radio transmitting equipment and technical know-how. Ernst Long for helping to create the masking tracks. Robb Drinkwater with Splinter Group Audio.
Sound Sample (am rush hour):
