1. A data sonification method comprising: providing a user interface for representing a plurality of channels of numerical information via a plurality of corresponding discernable variations of timbre of at least one audio-frequency waveform, the audio-frequency waveform perceived by a user as an audio tone with a plurality of corresponding discernable timbre attributes, the user interface including a plurality of visual metaphors, wherein the user interface is used to enable a spatial sound rendering operation resulting in audio output, and wherein at least a first of the plurality of visual metaphors is used to generate control parameter assignments; detecting the occurrence of a user interface event assigning the control parameters including timbre control parameters; generating plurality of audio-frequency waveforms, each audio-frequency waveform comprising an associated fixed audio-frequency and at least one adjustable timbre attribute responsive to an associated timbre control parameter, each timbre control parameter having an associated adjustable value which can be discernibly varied within a timbre space occupied by the plurality of audio-frequency waveforms; associating aspects of the numerical data with the at least one timbre control parameter of at least one of the audio-frequency waveforms from the plurality of audio-frequency waveforms; and adjusting the value of each timbre control parameter responsive to an associated first value of the numerical data according to a mapping function, the mapping function transforming first values of the multidimensional numerical data to values of associated timbre control parameters, wherein the timbre and the spatial location of the at least one audio-frequency waveform carries information responsive to values of the numerical data for sonic rendering.