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The Miso Music Portugal Loudspeaker Orchestra is a sound projection system designed for performing electro-acoustic music with and without the participation of instrumentalists.

The main aim is to introduce an element of interpretation into the performance of electro-acoustic music, and also to ritualise the act of a concert performance, allowing for expressive communication with audiences.

This requires a sound projection instrument sufficiently flexible in order to adapt to the needs of interpretation and to provide first-rate sound diffusion quality.

The system comprises a total of 40 to 60 loudspeakers, divided into 6 different sub-systems, placed all round the concert hall, distributed both horizontally and vertically, in order to provide a wide range of sound planes and perspectives.

A maximum of 32 distribution channels and a control interface with 32 faders makes it possible to control in real time 32 loudspeakers or groups of loudspeakers, which are especially configured for each work. The speakers can also be divided into preset frequency bands which provide a fixed spatial distribution similar to that found with an acoustic orchestra. It is also possible to vary response in time and phase for each of the loudspeakers.

All these parameters may be pre-programmed and stored in memory.

In addition to the real time intervention by an interpreter/conductor, it is also possible to automate all the spatial variations and movements by computer.

This project required both a wide variety of loudspeakers and high standards of fidelity of response in terms of both dynamic and frequency. The reproduction and distribution system which sends the signal to the different loudspeakers comprises an Apple Macintosh computer with several audio interfaces and uses a motorized fader system.