Abstract
The continuing development and industry uptake of multi-channel audio is creating new potential for sound designers. This paper presents research that provides a new approach to designing sound for spatial audio applications, by investigating the potential of combining sound creation and spatialisation through performance. The research uses a practice-based approach, involving the design, development and testing of a software-based instrument that combines gestural control, multi-voice sound generation and an Ambisonic spatialisation system. The focus of the research is to prototype an instrument that is easy to learn and intuitive to use.