The primary offering of the Laboratory is a stunning 24-channel spatial audio experience with absurdly high-quality [sub-bass]. Spatial audio, which differs from the two-channel stereo systems we all know well, mimics the sonic characteristics of the great, diverse and natural world in that any given sound can be anywhere around you at any time. These systems provide psycho-spiritual benefits and unprecedented opportunities for sound artists to craft intricate and emotive compositions.
In fact, there is a growing branch of research dedicated to exploring such phenomena. This research paper is especially illuminating; The Effects of Spatial Sound on Human Well-Being
In particular, the Laboratory's subwoofers, the best in the world, have the capacity to cause deep and bodily vibration unlike anything most people have ever felt in a wellness-focused environment; down to 30-32hz.
The effect on the person is profound. Without instrumentation in other frequencies the sub-woofers can provoke one to imagine a herd of horses coming in from the horizon, a deep magma earthquake or powerful, ancient drumming methods alighting a distant forest. When coupled with melodies, modern ambient and drone artistry the effects are more emotional and nuanced and call one's mind to the complex contrasting elements of the truly natural world with those of the destructive industrial one humans have built or the contrasting elements of one's own conscious mind with the subconscious desires and shadows.
Of course, the therapeutic and social use of vibration didn't suddenly get invented with the latest technological gizmo, nor with the techno-ambient artisan. The healing and community aligning trance-making power of large drums and other instruments have been healing humanity for millenia - maybe even as far back as 70,000 years ago! But humans love novelty, especially New Yorkers, and tend to look to published "science" for reinforcement of their values and guide how they spend time. So, we will use the novelty of the technology driven premium spatial and bass-heavy sound experience to grab attention and WOW participants, but our offerings will dig deeper into the past and give reverence to the music that evolved in community over thousands of years, that which channels ancestral energies and bring unparalleled healing power into our lives.
