About
The Global Sound Movement (GSM) is dedicated to capturing and preserving unique musical instruments and environmental sounds from diverse cultures worldwide. By travelling to various international communities, GSM records instruments of ethnic significance in their natural settings. These recordings are then meticulously processed to create virtual instruments and sound libraries compatible with music production software, enabling composers worldwide to incorporate these rare sounds into their work. Additionally, GSM captures high-resolution environmental recordings that comply with broadcast standards, cataloguing the sonic environments of the regions it explores.
Where the organisation operates
Operating from Lancashire, UK, GSM conducts research, post-production and marketing locally while undertaking recording expeditions to multiple international locations. Their projects have led them to collaborate with communities in Uganda, China, Cyprus, Bali, and Gibraltar. For instance, in Uganda, they have worked with musicians like Albert Ssempeke, an acclaimed artist and custodian of the royal court music, to capture traditional sounds.
What’s the organisation’s purpose?
GSM aims to make these unique musical instruments and rare sounds globally accessible through advanced technology, providing a platform to showcase diverse cultural heritages. Their efforts preserve these sounds for future generations and foster cultural appreciation and understanding. By creating digital audio products from their recordings and making them available globally through their platform, GSM allows the sounds and instruments of various communities to reach a wider audience. This initiative promotes cultural preservation and provides educational resources for those interested in world music traditions.
GSM has also collaborated with researchers and game designers to preserve rare instruments in the virtual world. Scanning instruments and making detailed recordings of their sounds ensures that these cultural artefacts are preserved for future generations to enjoy. In summary, the Global Sound Movement plays a crucial role in capturing, preserving, and disseminating the unique sounds of musical instruments and environments from cultures worldwide, ensuring their accessibility and appreciation on a global scale.
GSM - Winners of the Time Higher Education Awards for Innovation in the Excellence of the Arts - 2016