Mixing Levels -- A Rock Music Spirit Level App

TL;DR

Mixing Levels is a playful smartphone app that uses music mixing sonification to help users learn about leveling by adjusting instrument volumes through tilting, combining entertainment with educational value.

Contribution

This paper introduces a novel sonification app that visualizes leveling through music mixing, enhancing user engagement and learning in a fun, interactive way.

Findings

Users find the app engaging and fun.

The app effectively demonstrates leveling through musical balance.

Participants learn sonification concepts playfully.

Abstract

To date, sonification apps are rare. Music apps on the other hand are widely used. Smartphone users like to play with music. In this manuscript, we present Mixing Levels, a spirit level sonification based on music mixing. Tilting the smartphone adjusts the volumes of 5 musical instruments in a rock music loop. Only when perfectly leveled, all instruments in the mix are well-audible. The app is supposed to be useful and fun. Since the app appears like a music mixing console, people have fun to interact with Mixing Levels, so that learning the sonification is a playful experience.