Biography

Patrick graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University (2019) with a BSc in Audio Systems Engineering. Patrick has since achieved a MSc by research in Audio Technology at the Audiolab, University of York (2021), where they currently continue their research as a PhD student.

Patrick’s research explores the development, application and evaluation of bleeding edge network music performance systems, with a focus on immersive audio. This work investigates how spatial audio and virtual acoustics can be applied to make network music experiences more like live performance, and examines the affect this can have on the way we interact with one another musically in shared virtual spaces.

Patrick’s research also includes high-impact industry collaboration within the MINERVA project.

Beyond academia Patrick is an avid enthusiast of all things audio and has experience in various roles across industry, including: broadcast, live sound, sound for film, and music recording and production.

Projects

• Lag-free audio communication in a multi-user virtual reality environment
• Networked musical interactions in shared virtual acoustic spaces
• MINERVA (Musical Interactions in Networked Experiences using Real-time Virtual Audio)
• SAFFIRE (Scalable Audio Frameworks For Immersive Realtime Experiences)

Highlighted Publications

Immersive Network Music Performance: Design and Practical Deployment of a system for Immersive Vocal Performance
^{Patrick Cairns, Helena Daffern and Gavin Kearney}

Parametric evaluation of ensemble vocal performance using an immersive network music performance audio system
^{Patrick Cairns, Helena Daffern and Gavin Kearney}

Recording Music in the Metaverse: A case study of XR BBC Maida Vale Recording Studios
^{Patrick Cairns, Anthony Hunt, Jacob Cooper, Daniel Johnston, Ben Lee, Helena Daffern and Gavin Kearney}

Evaluation of Metaverse Music Performance With BBC Maida Vale Recording Studios
^{Patrick Cairns, Anthony Hunt, Jacob Cooper, Daniel Johnston, Ben Lee, Helena Daffern and Gavin Kearney}

Contact

patrick.cairns@york.ac.uk