Drifting Dock Street

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. Sound maps are similar to sound walks which are a form of active participation in the soundscape. Soundwalks and indeed, sound maps encourage the participants to listen discriminatively, and moreover, to make critical judgments about the sounds heard and their contribution to the balance or imbalance of the sonic environment. However, soundwalks will plot out a route for the user to follow and give guidance as to what the user may be hearing at each checkpoint. Sound maps, on the other hand, have specific soundscapes recorded that users can listen to at each checkpoint.

Works created by students taking the Postgraduate Studio Techniques Module at Cardiff University School of Music.

Welcome to Wander's immersive storytelling collection based in Cardiff! Wear earphones for the best experience. Feel free to walk around as you listen to the story. If you pay attention, you just might find something interesting...

Trying out choral walk in Cardiff

Clevedon beach soundwalk

Immersive Heritage and Folklore walk - Mermaid Quay to Custom's House. Start your journey with the legendary bard Taliesin at the statues in front of Mermaid Quay. Travel back in time and experience the lives, communities and legends of Wales and Cardiff Bay by exploring areas such as the Norwegian Church, Scott Memorial before finishing at the old Custom's house.

Immersive Heritage & Folklore walk - Penarth Pier to Lavernock Start your journey with the legendary bard Taliesin at Penarth Pier. On your journey to Lavernock you will discover the hidden treasures of Wales' folklore, history and art all with your bardic guide.

Ten sound-filled spots in Badock's Wood, Bristol. All the sounds you will hear were captured during a 12 week forest school project for young people held in Badock's Wood during the winter of 2021. Wild Words was a partnership between Brave Bold Drama (an award-winning theatre and community arts company), Mud Pie Explorers (a forest school) and Southmead Development Trust. This project was funded by the Thriving Communities Fund, which aims to improve and increase social prescribing community activities by bringing together place-based partnerships of local voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise projects.