Spatial Audio

Spatial Audio

by Francis Rumsey
Released September 2012
Publisher(s): Routledge
ISBN: 9781136119897

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Book description

Explores the principles and practical considerations of spatial sound recording and reproduction. Particular emphasis is given to the increasing importance of multichannel surround sound and 3D audio, including binaural approaches, without ignoring conventional stereo.

The enhancement of spatial quality is arguably the only remaining hurdle to be overcome in pursuit of high quality sound reproduction. The rise of increasingly sophisticated spatial sound systems presents an enormous challenge to audio engineers, many of whom are confused by the possibilities and unfamiliar with standards, formats, track allocations, monitoring configurations and recording techniques.

The author provides a comprehensive study of the current state of the art in spatial audio, concentrating on the most widely used approaches and configurations. Anyone wishing to expand their understanding of these cutting-edge technologies will want to own this book.

Table of contents

  1. Front Cover
  2. Half Title
  3. Titles in the series
  4. Title Page
  5. Copyright
  6. Contents
  7. Series introduction
  8. Preface
  9. 1. Introduction to spatial audio
    1. 1.1 The spatial dimension in natural sound
    2. 1.2 Sound sources in space
    3. 1.3 Introduction to the spatial dimension in reproduced sound
    4. 1.4 From mono to surround sound and 3D audio – a brief resumé
    5. 1.5 Applications of spatial audio
  10. 2. Spatial audio psychoacoustics
    1. 2.1 Sound source localisation
    2. 2.2 Distance and depth perception
    3. 2.3 Apparent source width
    4. 2.4 Envelopment and spaciousness
    5. 2.5 Naturalness
    6. 2.6 Some subjective experiments involving spatial attributes of reproduced sound
    7. 2.7 Cognitive issues in sound space perception
    8. 2.8 The source-receiver signal chain
  11. 3. Two-channel stereo and binaural audio
    1. 3.1 Two-channel (2–0) stereo
    2. 3.2 Binaural sound and 3D audio systems
  12. 4. Multichannel stereo and surround sound systems
    1. 4.1 Three-channel (3–0) stereo
    2. 4.2 Four-channel surround (3–1 stereo)
    3. 4.3 5.1-channel surround (3–2 stereo)
    4. 4.4 Other multichannel configurations
    5. 4.5 Surround sound systems
    6. 4.6 Matrixed surround sound systems
    7. 4.7 Digital surround sound formats
    8. 4.8 Ambisonics
  13. 5. Spatial sound monitoring
    1. 5.1 Introduction to listening room acoustics
    2. 5.2 International guidelines for surround sound room acoustics
    3. 5.3 Loudspeakers for surround sound: placement and directivity
    4. 5.4 Monitor level alignment
    5. 5.5 Virtual control room acoustics and monitors
  14. 6. Two- and three-channel recording techniques
    1. 6.1 Science versus aesthetics in spatial recording
    2. 6.2 Two-channel microphone techniques
    3. 6.3 Spot microphones and two-channel panning laws
    4. 6.4 Three-channel techniques
  15. 7. Surround sound recording techniques
    1. 7.1 Surround sound microphone technique
    2. 7.2 Multichannel panning techniques
    3. 7.3 Artificial reverberation and room simulation
    4. 7.4 Surround sound mixing aesthetics
    5. 7.5 Upmixing and downmixing
  16. Index

Product information

  • Title: Spatial Audio
  • Author(s): Francis Rumsey
  • Release date: September 2012
  • Publisher(s): Routledge
  • ISBN: 9781136119897