There are two main techniques in the field of spatial audio processing: linear and parametric. Linear techniques utilise either directly the microphone array signals or a spatially encoded version, for example by using the spherical or cylindrical harmonic framework, and render them to headphones of loudspeaker setups. Parametric techniques are adaptive perceptual spatial sound reproduction techniques which employ a parametric model describing the properties of the sound field and can reproduce spatial sound with high perceptual accuracy when compared to linear techniques. However in cases where there is a mismatch between the modelled and actual sound field, the perceived quality of the rendering may be compromised. A novel technique in the field for parametric 3D audio recording and reproduction is presented which instead of estimating parameters related to the sound field, it estimates directly the perceptually relevant parameters for the target rendering setup. The output signals with the target parametric properties are synthesised from the microphone signals with least-squares mixing and deccorelation. Examples for headphone and multichannel loudspeaker reproduction systems are shown.
Symeon Delikaris-Manias received his B.Sc. degree in mathematics from the University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece in 2006 and his M.Sc. degree in sound and vibration from the institute of sound and vibration research (ISVR), Southampton, UK, in 2008 with a thesis on inverse-filtering methods and cross-talk cancellation systems. Between 2008-2010, he was employed by GSacoustics as an acoustic consultant, and was responsible for acoustic modelling, development of spatial sound reproduction techniques and auralization. In 2010-2011 he was at the Center for Virtual Reality, Brest (CERV), France developing and evaluating higher order ambisonic techniques for ship simulators. He is currently pursuing his doctoral degree in electrical engineering at Aalto University, Espoo, Finland and his research focuses on parametric spatial audio and microphone array signal processing techniques.
