Echoes of Our Time
The Origins of Revolv – Real Spaces
Our good friend Oscar Björk’s project, Echoes of Our Time (2020-2022), is the impressive foundation on which our convolution reverb plugin Revolv – Real Spaces was built. It all began with a simple idea: capturing the acoustic essence of historical locations in Sweden.
Inspiration and Concept
Inspired by the rich history around his home near Wenngarn Castle and Sigtuna, Sweden’s first capital, Oscar set out to create a unique sound archive. "Sound preservation of a place is quite rare compared to visual preservation methods such as photography," Oscar explains. As an audio engineer, he saw an opportunity to bridge this gap by creating impulse response (IR) files – digital captures of a location’s unique acoustics that allow listeners to experience the space as if they were there themselves.
The Recording of Impulse Responses
The project involved recording over 60 historic sites using modern audio technology, making these IR files the first of their kind from these locations. Oscar's goal was to use these files not only to preserve soundscapes but also to make them available for creative use in music, film, and gaming. His work resulted in interactive exhibitions and a growing collection of IR files that have since expanded to include many different kinds of places.
Revolv Plugin Release
The release of Klevgrand’s Revolv plugin marks a pivotal moment for the project. "With the release of Revolv, it feels like the final piece of the puzzle for the project has fallen into place," says Oscar and adds that he finds it incredibly exciting that the project's IR files are now available to creators for use in future innovative projects worldwide.
Creative Freedom and User Experience
"I find that Revolv’s simplicity sparks creativity, allowing you to quickly dive into your sonic vision without getting lost in a sea of technical parameters," he explains. Moreover, the software does more than provide sound files: "I love that the plugin offers direct access to deeper insights about the project’s locations and their histories, enriching the user experience and connecting them to the cultural context of the recorded environments.”
Oscar Björk and Revolv
Oscar hopes that Revolv will inspire new and creative uses across various media, generating fresh insights and ideas as they are applied in entirely new audio contexts, just as the project's original concept intended.
Legacy of Echoes of Our Time
With Echoes of Our Time, Oscar Björk has not only captured the sounds of the past but has also paved the way for their future, ensuring that the echoes of history continue to resonate in modern creativity.
There is also a short documetary on the Echoes of Our Time project.
