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An Auditorium Simulator for Domestic Use

The enjoyment of music reproductions can be significantly increased by electronically simulating the early reflections characteristic of appropriate performance spaces. The simulation is based on a detailed mathematical modeling of the acoustics of various performing spaces. This analysis provides the impulse responses of the auditoriums for giving source and listener positions. The simulator convolves an audio signal obtained from standard stereo recordings with the desired impulse response in real time. Several impulse responses are stored in the simulator to provide listeners with a choice of environments to suit the musical style of their selection and their own personal taste. Only two additional loudspeakers are required to convey the lateral early reflections, and their positioning is uncritical. The medial reflections do not contribute to the desirable spatial impression, so no effort is made to present these sounds. Also, no effort is made to synthesize the late reflections because they can be and typically are recorded. Consideration of the properties of auditory perception led to other important simplifications. The system is simple to set up and operate, and provides music reproduction that experienced listeners have judged very natural.

Author: Borish, Jeffrey
Affiliation: Signal Research Laboratory and Stanford University, Department of Electrical Engineering and Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics, Stanford, CA
JAES Volume 33 Issue 5 pp. 330-341; May 1985 Import into BibTeX

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