How to build a soundscape

A soundscape can be understood as a system of dynamic relationships between multiple sources, the listener, and the environment. It is not just a matter of locating sounds in a three-dimensional space using XYZ coordinates, but rather of defining a coherent set of rules that govern how those sources interact with each other and how they are perceived as a whole. Hierarchy, focus, movement, and context are structural variables that determine the legibility and realism of the scene.

From a technical standpoint, these decisions are reflected in the internal organization of the audio system. The hierarchy of a scene manifests itself in processing priorities and resource allocation: foreground sources typically require higher spatial resolution, lower latency, and more precise processing, while secondary or ambient elements can be processed with simplified models without compromising overall perception.

The grouping of sources is another key aspect. Sounds that share a function or context can be organized into layers or clusters, allowing common transformations to be applied, calculations to be optimized, and spatial consistency to be maintained. This approach facilitates the management of complex scenes, where dozens or hundreds of sources can coexist and change state in real time.

Signal paths and the dynamic behavior of sources also play a key role. A well-designed soundscape allows sources to modify their behavior based on their relationship with the listener and other sources, adjusting parameters such as level, filtering, diffusion, or directionality. These changes must be continuous and predictable, avoiding abrupt transitions that break the spatial illusion.

The distance to the source directly influences the processing strategy. Nearby sources typically require greater localization accuracy, less blurring, and a more detailed representation of perceptual cues. In contrast, background elements can be represented in a more diffuse manner, with less spatial detail, which reduces the computational load without significantly affecting the perception of the scene.

The overall coherence of a sound scene depends on the consistency with which these rules are applied. Good implementation ensures that changes in position, orientation, or scale are reflected naturally in the sound, maintaining a stable and predictable experience. This is especially critical in complex interactive contexts, where audio must respond immediately and reliably to user action without introducing artifacts or perceptual inconsistencies.