Wave Field Synthesis / Binaural Room Synthesis (BRS)
The Virtual Control Room as Tool for Sound Engineers
BRS technology makes it possible to realise virtual control rooms, i.e. rooms with monitor loudspeakers for room-acoustic requirements. BRS replicates existing control rooms and precisely reproduces the spatial perception of the original space. A key application of the BRS processor is the virtual Surround Sound control room.
The BRS technique is based on the sampling and virtual representation of actual control-room scenarios. The BRS processor calculates the headphones’ signals, which create virtual spatial perception. Optimum virtual reproduction presupposes that the BRS processor’s output signals correspond to the artificial head’s signals, which are measured at the position of auditory perception in the control room. The BRS processor is, in other words, essentially an optimised artificial-head system which acknowledges spontaneous head movements in regard to front/back localisation.
Further information on IRT Product Binaural Room Synthesis BRS
Binaural Sky
Binaural Sky – a revolutionary application of Wave Field Synthesis (WFS) – consists of a ring of loudspeakers which hangs above the listener and facilitates genuine three-dimensional sound. Amazingly enough, the listener neither sees the loudspeakers nor has to wear headphones! Furthermore, true 3-D reproduction is possible. After all, Binaural Sky can also represent sources which are outside of the loudspeaker level.
Though it is based on established binaural technology or artificial-head stereophony, Binaural Sky features a crucial innovation: loudspeakers have been replaced by “focussed sources” thanks to the WFS array above the listener. Sound is thus concentrated immediately adjacent to the listener’s ears, providing a virtual set of headphones. Since the direction of the head is dynamically assessed to ensure that the appropriate WFS rendering filter is used, the focussed sources always maintain a constant position at the listener’s ears – regardless of head movement.
This new technology makes it possible, for example, to simulate a multichannel control room with the help of the BRS method – which renders headphones superfluous.
Image Copyright: IRT, Theile
