The continuing development and industry uptake of multi-channel audio iscreating new potential for sound designers. This paper presents research thatprovides a new approach to designing sound for spatial audio applications, byinvestigating the potential of combining sound creation and spatialisationthrough performance. The research uses a practice-based approach, involvingthe design, development and testing of a software-based instrument thatcombines gestural control, multi-voice sound generation and an Ambisonicspatialisation system. The focus of the research is to prototype an instrumentthat is easy to learn and intuitive to use.