Spatial Sound Masterclass

IKLECTIK and FACT are running a spatial sound masterclass at FACT on Wednesday 2 December, starting at 19:00. It's the second half of a two-day session that runs from 1 to 2 December, so if you're coming for the whole thing, you'll be in on the first day as well.

For those who aren't familiar, IKLECTIK is one of the few grassroots organisations in the UK working with multi-channel and three-dimensional audio. The shift from stereo to spatial audio lets artists compose in space rather than in two channels, moving sound through and around the audience. They describe sound not as background, but as architecture — an environment you step inside. Their technology is custom-made, and they open it up to artists through residencies and training programmes.

The masterclass itself runs from the fundamentals through to advanced applications of spatial sound for live performance. You'll work with IKLECTIK's own system alongside Envelop for Live's spatial audio plug-ins for Ableton, and it closes with a Q&A and a chance to tinker with the hardware. It's all part of the Spatial Sound Lab, which runs across 1 and 2 December, and the whole thing leads into Spatial Sound Performances: Signal Dreaming on 3 December, featuring Liverpool artists Grey Streak, Wendy Smith and coby o·bi.

Practical details: the masterclass is in The Box, a step-free, wheelchair-accessible space on the ground floor of FACT, 88 Wood Street, L1 4DQ. It costs £7 and booking is required.