Dr. Arlan Schultz. (Photo: University of Lethbridge)

By Joel Mendelson

Musical innovation highlighted at University of Lethbridge

Jan 22, 2024 | 12:17 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – University of Lethbridge (U of L) music professor Dr. Arlan Schultz has created a device that can move sound in two or three dimensions using human gestures. It is called the AuraWand.

The AuraWand is the first commercialization project of its kind to be developed. According to the U of L, the device is drawing interest from some of the largest technology companies in the world.

Schultz said, “Being able to mix and move sounds around in three dimensions – up, down, and closer/further from you – is very different than mixing a stereo format.”

He continued, “Our device allows individuals to seamlessly interact with spatial audio and it puts the focus back on listening and physically engaging with the art of immersive sound design.”

The AuraWand and AuraWave Technologies (the company behind the AuraWand, founded by Schultz) has received more than $250,000 in funding from investors and non-dilutive grants from a variety of large companies such as Dolby, Apple, Google, Microsoft and many audio creators involved in making or mixing spatial audio.

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Schultz said the idea for the device evolved from recognizing a lack of specialized technology for digital creation. The AuraWand was made to allow the user to conduct with space. It leverages a musician’s natural desire to physically engage with sound production.

The AuraWand is the first commercialization project of its kind to be developed. (Photo: University of Lethbridge)

The AuraWand was created to make the process of mixing and composing in spatial audio environments technically transparent. The device places the audio engineer’s emphasis more on listening, nuanced trajectory creation and on human interaction with the sonic environment, as opposed to technical engineering.

Dr. Dena McMartin, vice-president of research said, “ULethbridge is home to some of the world’s brightest minds and most accomplished researchers, and their work is innovative and impactful.”

She continued, “It’s exciting to help our researchers convert their incredible ideas into commercial products that can really advance the sectors within which they are working. Dr. Schultz’s technology has the potential to make a huge difference in how people approach and create with digital audio technology.”

AuraWave’s purpose is to bring digital audio research from the most innovative labs in the world to an industrial level so it can be utilized by creators and sound artists.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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