From November 13th to 16th, our lab embarked on a meaningful trip to Japan to grow our academic and industry knowledge. Our trip started with an engaging workshop hosted by Tokyo University of the Arts (Geidai) at their Kita-Senju campus on November 13th. The event was hosted by Professors Kamekawa and Marui, and brought together students and faculty from both institutions to exchange ideas, showcase research, and foster international collaboration.
The workshop featured presentations from two students of each university. Representing our lab, Rai Sato shared his research on aural heritage, and offered insight to KAIST’s academic environment from an international student’s perspective. Following Rai, Pooseung Koh presented his research on augmented reality auditory training while providing an overview of our lab’s focus and projects.
From Geidai, Akane Katsukura introduced her study on how physical obstacles masking sound sources can influence auditory localization, demonstrating the intricate relationship between environment and sound perception. Hideki Sugawara presented fascinating findings on how delays in the height channel can shape spatial impression, contributing valuable perspectives to immersive audio research.
After the presentations, Professors Kamekawa and Marui guided us on a tour of Geidai’s impressive facilities, showcasing their immersive sound studios. We learned about the architectural details and acoustic treatments that enhance these spaces, such as their Studio Hall A.
The tour also featured immersive audio demonstrations, thoughtfully prepared by Geidai students. These included an orchestral mix in one studio and a piano mix in another, showcasing the capabilities of their setup. The demos provided a unique opportunity to experience the practical applications of their research, leaving us deeply impressed by the creativity and technical skill of the students.
This enriching day marked a wonderful start to our Japan trip, allowing us to build connections and share our work with international researchers. Stay tuned for Part 2 of our blog!