Interaction between auditory and visual processing in car audio: simulation experiment using video reproduction.

To clarify the effect of listening to music on the impression obtained from the landscape viewed from the car, a simulation experiment using video reproductions was conducted. The impression left by the landscapes and that of the music excerpts were measured by a semantic differential method. The impression of the landscapes is more pleasant when music excerpts are reproduced than when no music is presented. The pleasantness of the landscapes is the highest when relaxing music is being played. The impression of the landscapes is more powerful when music is present. In particular, agitated music has a strong effect to make the impression of the landscape more powerful. Music generally has an effect to 'lighten' the landscape impression. However, very heavy music makes the landscape much heavier. Musical tempo is an important factor to determine the impression of music and affects the impression of landscape.