ÆSR Lab - Applied/Experimental Sound Research Lab is a three-part, mobile and modular sound research laboratory at the interface of art and science, which as an infrastructure - with precise instruments and state-of-the-art technology - promotes interdisciplinary research and artistic design and helps to open up the development and testing of new technologies.

In general, all researchers, artists, students and people who are generally active in research have access to the infrastructure. However, it is important to note that the infrastructure is only made available for research purposes (no events or similar).

The ÆSR Lab is located at several sites in Vienna, but always in buildings of the University of Applied Arts, the mdw - University of Music and Performing Arts or the ÖAW - Austrian Academy of Sciences. Parts of the lab are also mobile.

The ÆSR Lab is run by the University of Applied Arts Vienna (Zentrum Fokus Forschung) and in cooperation and with the expertise of the Artistic Research Center (ARC) and the Department of Composition, Electroacoustics and Tonmeister Education (IKE) of the mdw - University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, as well as the Phonogrammarchiv of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.

The University of Applied Arts is the main contact. Contact details can be found under Contact.

ÆSR Lab is funded by the BMBWF and in Kooperation with the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) of the European Union.

For each object there is a link to the loan contact in the database. Depending on where the object is stored, you get the contact to the Angewandte, mdw or ÖAW. After a request to the respective office, one receives the information about the loan. This information may vary depending on the object, as some objects require training or insurance. In order to be able to borrow an object, the personal data must be deposited and verified - at least the first time.

In principle, all researchers, artists, students, and persons generally active in research have access to the infrastructure. It is important to know that the infrastructure is only made available for research purposes (no events or similar).

When borrowing equipment, the research purpose must be demonstrated by proof of a research project at an institution, as part of a course with the approval of the teacher, or as an independent project with a specific research question. The research purpose must be proven in the course of the usage request (input mask), e.g. by a brief description of the research project, the methodology and the expected outcome. It is not possible to borrow equipment for events (concerts, exhibitions, family celebrations, etc.) or for any purpose that puts the ÆSR Lab in competition with commercial providers.

The loan of the research infrastructure is free of charge.

The number and scope of the requested equipment must be appropriate to the research purpose and will be agreed in consultation with the lending institution.

In order to borrow and use the device for the first time, training by the laboratory staff is required. The scope of the training varies depending on the item being borrowed or used and is agreed with the lending institution. Once training has been completed, no further training is required when borrowing the instrument again.

Cost-intensive and non-portable devices can only be used on site at the providing institution. The period of use is subject the available resources of the respective institution and requires prior training or supervision by the laboratory staff.

The costs for loss and breakage are generally carried by the borrowing person or institution. In addition, there may be a need for additional insurance for certain devices.

Depending on the object, availability and demand, there is a maximum rental period, usually 2 weeks. This is defined at the time of rental and can also be extended after consultation with the institution. In the case of simultaneous requests, the fair use principle applies: shorter loan periods or fewer usage times have priority.

Depending on the equipment, the lending institution may require proof of insurance covering all risks including transportation (copy of policy). Equipment requiring additional insurance is marked in the database. Please note that the student insurance of the ÖH can only be claimed in the case of activities that take place on the premises of the university or as part of the course.

Yes, in order to participate in teaching events of the ÆSR Lab, it is necessary to register as an (extra) ordinary student or as a co-registered student at the respective university where the course takes place. Individual lectures and lecture series can be attended without registration after consultation.

If you are not yet a student at the university (Angewandte, mdw) where the course is held, please contact the respective study department to register as a co-investigator. Please note the registration deadlines. Co-enrollment is free of charge.

Attendance of the teaching events is free of charge. However, registration as an (extra) ordinary student or co-attendant is required.