Vibrating Sound

Austrian sound artist, engineer, and electronic music composer Matthias Kronlachner explores spatial sound, technology, and the possibilities of live performance in his work. His artistic practice exists at the intersection of art and science, where principles of acoustics, programming, and engineering solutions become tools for creating new listening experiences. One of the central focuses of his work is the development of spatial audio technologies. Within the open-source audio software community, Kronlachner is widely recognised as the creator of the multichannel and ambisonic sound tools ambiX and mcfx.

He studied at the Graz University of Technology, the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, and the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. His creative practice has developed across Austria, Germany, the United States, and Lithuania, with appearances at festivals including Ars Electronica Linz, Steirischer Herbst, Wien Modern, Gaida, and Jauna Muzika. Kronlachner has also collaborated with Klangforum Wien, LENsemble (Lithuanian Ensemble Network), the Chordos Quartet, and other contemporary music performers.

Within the Permainų Muzika Festival programme, Vibrating Sound, he presents Spatial Wires – Standing Waves — a sound installation and live performance in which sound becomes a physically perceptible phenomenon. At the centre of the work are two resonating wires, the surrounding space, and the directional sound system 393, which allows sound to move in different directions. The wires respond to transmitted frequencies, begin to vibrate, and transform the environment into an active component of the composition. This creates standing waves, overtones, and constantly shifting layers of sound.

During the performance, Kronlachner controls the process live, responding to what the space itself reveals — its acoustics, objects, and materials. Each performance becomes unique, as the resulting sound depends not only on the performer but also on the specific environment in which it unfolds.