Charles Stirum of the Denver Museum of Natural History wanted a bio-acoustic ambiance for their pre-historic epoch exhibits. The challenge was to create sound environments and vocalizations for animals now long extinct - from the Miocene, Cretaceous and Early Jurassic periods. These sounds had to reflect assumptions based the best available scientific information. For the sound track production, independent producers James Reeve and Jeramiah Moore were brought in. Hundreds of unique sounds were created, along with environmental ambiance to establish dynamic "living" environments. Our role was to work with the sound team and the exhibits department as acoustical consultants and system design consultants.

The hundreds of tracks were digitally stored on e-proms. The sound events were triggered and routed to the dozens of concealed miniature speakers as well as inconspicuous larger ambient speakers. The system was controlled through MIDI cues by way of a show control console. The whole exhibit simulates a deep perceptual walk through time - the dynamic motion of the soundtracks invokes movement in the exhibits. Suspense, fear and wonder accompany the information conveyed by the exhibit, all that seems missing are the smells...