OpenAL allows 3D spatialisation to be provided from outside game code; new implementations can be "plugged in". Ambisonics separates an abstract soundfield representation from actual speaker feeds and allows decoding to large number of speakers, including arrangements in 3D. We present the design of an Ambisonic OpenAL driver implemented in three segments: an "environment" managing state, a "renderer" using this state to generate an abstract Ambisonic soundfield representation and a "decoder" which applies whatever decoding algorithm is desired and feeds the available hardware. We also describe techniques to decode for surround stereo and headphones.

Author: Furse, Richard W.
Affiliation: Blue Ripple Sound, London, UK
AES Conference: 35th International Conference: Audio for Games (February 2009)
Paper Number: 20
Publication Date: February 1, 2009 Import into BibTeX
Subject: Spatial Audio in Games
Permalink: https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=15174

Click to purchase paper as a non-member or login as an AES member. If your company or school subscribes to the E-Library then switch to the institutional version. If you are not an AES member and would like to subscribe to the E-Library then Join the AES!

This paper costs $33 for non-members and is free for AES members and E-Library subscribers.

Learn more about the AES E-Library

E-Library Location: (CD 35thPapers)   /35/aes35-000058.pdf

Start a discussion about this paper!