Audiolux: A Modern “Visual Sound” System for Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing

At CymaSpace, we are working to make performing arts more accessible and inclusive to the Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing. The team behind our innovative Technology Program are proud to announce our newest development:

AUDIOLUX: A Modern “Visual Sound” System for Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing

AUDIOLUX is an open source digital lighting system that allows the Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing to see music & alerts using the Arduino hardware/software platform & modern digital individually addressable LEDs. Source code is provided under open-source licensing for anyone interested to develop their own system.  CymaSpace also offers pre-built Audiolux lighting systems for rental for events both large and small.

1 in 8 Americans & 360 million people globally live in partial or complete silence due to hearing loss. Cultural events (performing arts & social gatherings) are a powerful way to bring communities together; however the Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) are often excluded their benefits. When such events rely on sound to deliver their experience or message, organizations & artists often overlook equal access as they lack resources or awareness to ensure their event activities are accessible to those who cannot hear.

Deaf Want Music Too

To address this need, CymaSpace serves the community providing advocacy for DHH patrons as well as access to ASL interpreters, accessible technologies and Deaf awareness training to art organizations, venues, festivals and individual artists.

Through the CymaSpace Technology Program, we are developing hardware & software solutions to intelligently translate audio into light & vibration, sound can be seen & felt not just heard. When applied to performing arts; DHH & hearing audiences respond positively, reporting new appreciation for art mediums previously thought inaccessible. Many state the developments encourage them to attend events & socialize more. DHH artists could follow rhythms & perform alongside hearing peers. Others express a desire to use the technology at home for their entertainment system or even alert/safety systems.

The AUDIOLUX Lighting System represents a significant first step in providing equal access to sound & music during performing arts & social events. Our affordable to purchase, rent or easy-to-build, open-source sound-reactive LED lighting system can be used in a variety of applications such as creating a visually compelling lighting addition to performance stages or integrated into architecture and even furniture. Incorporating AUDIOLUX Lighting into your events has been shown to increase attendance by the Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing community and is a great way to improve equal access.

If you are interested in incorporating AUDIOLUX Lighting into your own venue, event or artistic practice there currently several options available:

AUDIOLUX Lighting System Rental
A system can be rented from CymaSpace and temporarily installed at your event. Please visit the Rentals page for more information.

Purchase a System through Audiolux Devices
We are also partnered with Audiolux Devices (audioluxdevices.com), to offer the system, built to order in a rugged, easy-to-use and compact kit that can be purchased and even customized to fit your unique needs.

Build your own
The source-code and basic getting started instructions on how to build your own AUDIOLUX Lighting System have been released over on our Github page.

Please note there are now two versions of the lighting system:

Version Two
AUDIOLUX Lighting System (source-code available on Github).

Version One
Cymatic Lighting System (earlier prototype previously known as Cymatic Lighting System source code and build instructions available on Github).

What is CymaSpace?

  • Accessibility & Inclusion

    CymaSpace is a leading advocate for accessibility and inclusion within performing arts, cultural events, and media broadcasting for DHH people. We are constantly striving to find new ways to ensure our venue and events are inclusive, especially to DHH  communities.

  • Technology & Arts Incubator

    We provide incubator services for new fledgling organizations and communities that are exploring emerging concepts in combining technology and the arts.

  • Education & Outreach

    We provide educational opportunities for artists, the general public and other performance venues interested in incorporating our unique, cymatic concepts into their work.

  • Cymatic Study

    CymaSpace is an epicenter for Cymatic study and we are committed to raising awareness of and promoting the benefits of Cymatics (the science and study of sound made visible).