nellacustica

Nellacustica is a term used in contemporary Italian sound studies to describe an interdisciplinary approach to the analysis and creation of acoustic environments in which sound perception, space, and technology interact. It encompasses theoretical and practical work at the intersection of psychoacoustics, architectural acoustics, soundscape studies, and digital signal processing.

Derived from the Italian phrase nella (in the) and acustica (acoustics), nellacustica is used to signify studying sound as it exists within specific spaces, rather than in abstract or laboratory conditions. The term functions as a conceptual umbrella for projects that explore how environments shape listening experiences and how audio technologies can be employed to mold those experiences.

The term has appeared in academic articles and artistic contexts since the early 2000s, gaining use in conferences on spatial audio, sound installation, and urban acoustics. It is not a formally standardized field with universal curricula; rather, it serves as a flexible label for work that investigates the acoustic character of places, the perception of sound in real settings, and the design of immersive audio.

Methodologically, nellacustica brings together room acoustics measurements, perceptual experiments, ambisonics and binaural rendering, and real-time digital signal processing. Applications include the architectural design of performance and public spaces, immersive art installations, virtual reality audio, and strategies for urban soundscape planning and management.

See also: acoustics, psychoacoustics, spatial audio, sound studies.