Présence électroacoustique – immersion polyphonique connectée (PrÉ)
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The “Pré” modules originated from an idea by composer Jean-Luc Hervé. This unique immersive system consists of multiple small wireless speakers, which the composer describes as “a polyphony evoking a population of insects in a summer meadow, invisible as they are hidden in tall grass, dialoguing with the musicians of the orchestra.” Initially developed by Camille Giuglaris, a sound engineer at the Centre International de Recherche Musicale in Nice, these modules have been the focus of extensive research at Université Côte d’Azur (XR2C2) and the Conservatoire de Nice. In 2024, this research culminated in the creation of the “immersive umbrella,” an individual device enabling 3D audio listening.
In contrast to the small, 3D-printed passive speakers used in the umbrella, the “Pré” modules incorporate advanced components: a microcomputer, substantial memory, a network connection, an integrated amplifier, and a battery. These features make each module fully autonomous and wireless while remaining remotely controllable via a laptop and a Wi-Fi router. This technological development was made possible through the collaboration of Bertrand Petit Heidelin (Inria) and Patrice Collet, a specialist in Musical Informatics, who programmed the software component.
The “Pré” modules originated from an idea by composer Jean-Luc Hervé. This unique immersive setup consists of multiple small wireless speakers, which the composer describes as “a polyphony evoking a population of insects in a summer meadow, invisible as they are hidden among tall grass, responding to the musicians of the orchestra.” Initially developed by Camille Giuglaris, a sound engineer at the Centre International de Recherche Musicale in Nice, these modules have since been the focus of extensive research conducted at Université Côte d’Azur (XR2C2) and the Conservatoire de Nice. In 2024, this research led to the creation of the “immersive umbrella,” an individual device enabling 3D audio listening.
Unlike the small 3D-printed passive speakers used in the immersive umbrella, the “Pré” modules incorporate advanced components: a microcomputer, substantial memory, a network connection, an integrated amplifier, and a battery. These features make each module fully autonomous and wireless while remaining remotely controllable via a laptop and a Wi-Fi router. This technological development was made possible through the collaboration of Bertrand Petit Heidelin (Inria) and Patrice Collet, a specialist in Musical Informatics, who programmed the software.
By integrating the spatial dimension into musical creation, a new plastic parameter emerges, simultaneously influencing the organization of space and the perception of presence. As a perceptual cue, sound—by its physical ability to reach the listener’s ears—has become the principal vector of immersion. Thus, music and sound present themselves as credible forms of augmented reality.
The PrÉ (Présence Électroacoustique) system, developed as part of this project, is a multichannel diffusion setup based on a distinctive approach to the relationship between sound and space. It creates an immersive sound environment where the audience is surrounded by concealed sound sources. The system enables a rich polyphony through a network of independent sound agents, each comprising a nano-computer paired with a mini-speaker and powered by a battery. These agents are connected via a local Wi-Fi network controlled by a central computer, eliminating cabling constraints and allowing the sound sources to remain hidden, thus making the system imperceptible.
This project delves into the concepts of immersive acoustic environments and sonic performance spaces, creating a form of augmented reality through music. It also examines music enhanced by objects and devices, based on the study of creative processes using the PrÉ system.
By combining musical creation and technological innovation, the PrÉ project establishes new foundations for research and practice in sound spatialization. Offering a modular, autonomous, and immersive approach, it fosters artistic experimentation while broadening its potential applications to interdisciplinary fields. The resulting methodological and analytical insights aim to deepen the understanding of spatialized music and redefine the role of technical devices in contemporary artistic practices.
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https://studio-instrumental.fr/technologie/modules-pre/
