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 labEquipmentFunction
Lab 1: Spatial Audio LabHemi-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 LabInternational Telecommunication Union (ITU) standard room with high-quality multi-channel and stereo audioUsed 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 equipmentPreparation of test materials, demo preparation, content for archiving and viewing/listening space
Lab 5: Immersive Presence LabMulti-speaker audioUsed for multi-modal display and presentation
Lab 5: Immersive Presence LabQualisys 16-camera motion-capture systemUsed for multi-modal display and presentation
Lab 6: Perceptual Testing LabPerceptual testing stations (2), including computers screens and headphonesCapabilities for experimentation on music and sound perception
Lab 6: Perceptual Testing Lab5.1 surround speaker systemCapabilities for experimentation on music and sound perception
HexaGRIS studio, based at the Université de MontréalComposition and research studio equipped with a 16 + 2 speaker system setup in the shape of a dome, plus several control surfaces and related audio equipmentExperimentation with 3D/immersive audio
CIRMMTBertec force plate 
CIRMMTEye trackers 
CIRMMTVideo cameras 
CIRMMT3D printers 
CIRMMTLaser cutter 
CIRMMTElectronics workshop 
Music Multimedia Room (MMR)Movable banners on the walls and unique panelling system to allow for variable acousticsUnique 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 SystemGrid 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 speakersUnique 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 prototypingResearch on impact of technology on music performance practice by capturing performer actions.
Performance Research Laboratory (PeRL)Advanced capture systemResearch 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 systemResearch on impact of technology on music performance practice by capturing performer actions.
Performance Research Laboratory (PeRL)High-speed and thermal camerasResearch on impact of technology on music performance practice by capturing performer actions.
Performance Research Laboratory (PeRL)Multichannel immersive speaker systemResearch 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