Everyone knows what the Coronavirus looks like. But have you ever wondered what that virus might sound like?
(Please listen with headphones)
*More scientific background information
Furthermore, we have created audio scenes for 4 major processes within the viral infection cycle:
The Coronavirus infects a lung cell through the attachment of its spike protein. The lung cell recognizes the viral spike protein through its receptor protein ACE2 and allows the “enemy” to get in (A). Subtly the virus releases its genetic material – the RNA – into the host cell and exploits its “workshop” with all “tools” and resources to reproduce itself quickly (B, C). Finally, after the virus has reproduced itself successfully and generously it exits the lung cell to infect other cells (D). References are listed here:
More scientific background information
About the project and the initiator
Initiator of the project is audity, a company that has made itself a name for 14 years with extraordinary and innovative sound design projects. In 2008, for example, they translated the taste impression “sour” into music in the project “Sound of Citrus“. Further, their lavatory sound for an aircraft manufacturer indicated a positive influence on the perception of hygiene.
The sound designers of the Coronavirus aimed to translate abstract attributes into audible elements. Besides the projects already mentioned, they are engaged in making the brand values of companies and brands audible.
More about the project initiator
Why making the virus audible?
Everybody knows how a spherical Coronavirus looks like – thanks to ultrastructure analysis (Almeida et al 1968; Goldsmith et al 2004; Barcena et al 2009).
But, who knows how it sounds?
It is generally known that people associate sounds (noises and music) with intense emotions – consciously and subconsciously. Therefor we aimed to make the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 emotional-acoustically understandable based on its structure and its infection mechanism.
Potentials, benefits and application areas for the “Coronavirus-Sound”
The “sound of the Coronavirus” can be used for the alternative presentation of the virus and its mode of action in different fields of application.
Besides documentation applications (video, podcasts, radio and other), the use for educational purposes (schools) up to the use in medical devices (as functional sounds) is also conceivable.
1. Audible presentation of the Coronavirus in the media
The Coronavirus-sounds are based on an artistic approach and can be used in many ways. For example as background staging or illustration purposes in audio or audiovisual reports and media contributions.
Please concact us for further information.
2. Implications and benefits for the MedTech and Healthcare-Industry
The Coronavirus-sounds can be installed into laboratory devices such as PCR-cyclers to support the testing procedure through sound identification:
· Notification sounds (earcons, auditory icons)
· Real-time-sonification
· Parameter-mapping
Find more information about UX sound for medical devices here.
3. Education
The basics and design-methods of the coronavirus sound could be further developed for educational purposes (e.g. in schools).
Interested parties please contact us.
Press contact
For all requests concerning public relations please contact:
Contact person / Sound Design: Rainer Hirt (M.A.)
Contact person / Scientific Approach: Dr. Harald Preisner
E-mail: info@coronavirus-sound.com
Phone: +49 (0) 157 80 61 55 60
We are very hopeful that we will soon be able to sonify the effect of a vaccine against the Coronavirus!