Current trends in binaural auralization of microphone array recordings

Abstract

Many approaches for the capture and auralization of real acoustic spaces have been proposed over the past century. Limited spatial resolution on the capture side has typically been the factor that caused compromises in the achievable authenticity of the auralization. Recent advancements in the field of microphone arrays provide new perspective particularly for headphone-based auralization. It has been shown that head-tracked binaural auralization of the data captured by a bowling-ball-sized spherical array of around 90 microphones allows for creating signals at the ears of the listener that are perceptually almost indistinguishable from the ear signals that arise in the original space. Promising results have also been obtained based on smaller arrays with fewer microphones. In the present contribution, we provide an overview of the current activities in the research community and demonstrate the latest advancements and remaining challenges.