Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology (CIRMMT)

McGill University, Montréal, Québec
What the facility does

Interdisciplinary research on music, media and sound.

Areas of expertise

The Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology (CIRMMT) is a multi-disciplinary research group that seeks to develop innovative approaches to the scientific study of music media and technology, to promote the application of newer technologies in science and in the creative arts, and to provide an advanced research training environment. Its research focus spans a wide range of topics from the creation of music in the composer's or performer's mind, the performance of music, its recording and/or transmission, and the reception of music by the listener. The Centre has six central laboratories, plus a new and unique music multimedia room and a performance research lab, all designed with specific acoustic characteristics in order to maximize the variety of functionalities of the available research spaces. Researchers at CIRMMT are involved in the analysis, modelling, and synthesis of sounds, modelling of the acoustic properties of musical instruments and rooms, and creating tools and instruments for musical performance. They also develop techniques for information retrieval and multimedia analysis, including immersive systems — the ability to create sound, images and touch in virtual reality — and virtual acoustics. Finally, CIRMMT researches perception and cognition of sounds and music and the application of these research areas to music-performance practice.

Research services

Information and telecommunication technologies,acoustics modelling, electronic instrumentation-sensor actuators and haptics, cognition and perception, digital audio-signal processing, information retrieval, digital libraries, motion capture, biometric measurements, sound spatialization, soundscape, expanded musical practice, immersive systems, prototyping, 3D printing, modelling, simulation and hearing-care prevention.

Sectors of application
  • Arts and cultural industries
  • Education
  • Information and communication technologies and media
  • Manufacturing and processing
  • Professional and technical services (including legal services, architecture, engineering)

Specialized lab

Equipment

Function

Lab 1: Spatial Audio Lab

Hemi-anechoic room, specialized audio equipment (e.g. microphone and speaker arrays)

Used for measurements, room acoustics, diffusion, instrument directivity, transducers spatialization and room perception in listeners

Lab 2: Critical Listening Lab

International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standard room with high-quality multi-channel and stereo audio

Used for critical listening, evaluation and technical ear-training research

Lab 3: Performance and Recording Lab

Qualisys 8-camera active/passive motion-capture system

 

Motion-capture measurements of performer movements, virtual reality applications and recording of individual performers

Lab 4: Audiovisual Editing Lab (Maurice Pollack Foundation)

HD video-editing equipment

Preparation of test materials, demo preparation, content for archiving and viewing/listening space

Lab 5: Immersive Presence Lab

Multi-speaker audio

Used for multi-modal display and presentation

Lab 5: Immersive Presence Lab

Qualisys 16-camera motion-capture system

Used for multi-modal display and presentation

Lab 6: Perceptual Testing Lab

Perceptual testing stations (2), including computers screens and headphones

Capabilities for experimentation on music and sound perception

Lab 6: Perceptual Testing Lab

5.1 surround speaker system

Capabilities for experimentation on music and sound perception

HexaGRIS studio, based at the Université de Montréal

Composition and research studio equipped with a 16 + 2 speaker system setup in the shape of a dome, plus several control surfaces and related audio equipment

Experimentation with 3D/immersive audio

CIRMMT

Bertec force plate

 

CIRMMT

Eye trackers

 

CIRMMT

Video cameras

 

CIRMMT

3D printers

 

CIRMMT

Laser cutter

 

CIRMMT

Electronics workshop

 

Music Multimedia Room (MMR)

Movable banners on the walls and unique panelling system to allow for variable acoustics

Unique research lab for scientific, artistic and perceptive studies on musical performance, with or without technologies, audience, instruments and space.

Music Multimedia Room (MMR)

Ceiling Grid Suspension System

Grid near the ceiling from which equipment (e.g. MoCap, EEG, etc.) can be suspended. Unique research lab for scientific and artistic study of musical performance on aspects of the performers, audience, instruments and space.

Music Multimedia Room (MMR)

Active acoustic enhancement system, including microphones and 64+ high quality speakers

Unique research lab for scientific and artistic study of musical performance on aspects of the performers, audience, instruments and space.

Performance Research Laboratory (PeRL)

Tools for rapid prototyping

Research on impact of technology on music performance practice by capturing performer actions.

Performance Research Laboratory (PeRL)

Advanced capture system

Research on impact of technology on music performance practice by capturing performer actions.

Performance Research Laboratory (PeRL)

Wireless bio-signal electromyography (EMG) system and weight distribution system

Research on impact of technology on music performance practice by capturing performer actions.

Performance Research Laboratory (PeRL)

High-speed and thermal cameras

Research on impact of technology on music performance practice by capturing performer actions.

Performance Research Laboratory (PeRL)

Multichannel immersive speaker system

Research on impact of technology on music performance practice by capturing performer actions.

  • Applied Acoustics Systems
  • Arche Innovation
  • AudioKinetic
  • Bang & Olufsen
  • Big Four Quartet
  • Bombardier
  • Cimetrix
  • Fliprl
  • Godin Guitars
  • Infusion Systems
  • Intakt Records
  • InterDigital
  • Janro Imaging Laboratory
  • Kilo Beat
  • MPB Communications Inc.
  • Orange
  • Philips
  • Pleiades
  • Qualisys
  • Sennheiser
  • SolarEar
  • Sonic Emotion
  • Weiss Engineering
  • Yamaha

Title

URL

What is CIRMMT?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXtaLK0WYbo

$17 Million to shape the future of music

http://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/channels/news/17-million-shape-future-music-261118

CIRMMT Director on funding announcement at McGill (interview)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/programs/cinqasix/cirmmit-director-isabelle-cossette-on-fun…

Made to fit: technology helps musicians find the perfect guitar

https://www.innovation.ca/story/made-fit-technology-helps-musicians-find-perfect-guitar

Research builds my music community

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jklyPfhkZFY&list=PLy_LO21HROECFALz7VHhcbM0WLLTbapui&index=4

At the cutting edge of research of music, technology and science

http://www.rcinet.ca/fr/2016/05/19/le-centre-interdisciplinaire-de-recherche-en-musique-medias-et-t…

Preparing a new generation of health care professionals through community engagement

https://publications.mcgill.ca/medenews/2016/06/29/preparing-a-new-generation-of-health-care-profes…

Qualysis & CIRMMT

https://www.qualisys.com/stories/cirmmt-center-for-interdisciplinary-research-in-music-media-and-te…

CIRMMT awarded the World Heading Day (WHD) Small Grants Scheme by the World Health Organization

https://www.cirmmt.org/news/who-whd-cirmmt

Rythmoplis: A successful 1st edition

http://www.cirmmt.org/news/rythmopolis_1st_edition

CIRMMT Facilities

http://www.cirmmt.org/about/facilities