Binaural simulation using six channel reproduction based on the finite difference time domain room acoustic analysis

Abstract

For auralization of room acoustics, various simulation-reproduction systems, such as ray tracing, cone tracing, image source methods, and wave-based numerical analysis for sound field simulation, and transaural system, multi-channel loudspeaker system for sound field reproduction, have been developed. As a sound recording-reproduction system, the six channel system has been developed, in which a sound signal is recorded by orthogonally located six directional microphones having a cardioid characteristics and the recorded signals are reproduced by orthogonally arranged six loudspeakers. To obtain binaural signals for auralization with headphones, the six channel reproduction was combined with binaural recording using dummy head microphones. The proposed concept can be efficiently applied to room acoustic simulation. As a room acoustic calculation method, finite-difference time-domain method was employed in this study. The calculated room impulse responses were reproduced by six channel reproduction system, and the binaural signals are recorded using dummy head microphones. In this presentation, the concept of the reproduction system is first stated and some examples on room acoustic problems are introduced.