SPARG True multi-channel mixing environment
Wigware
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Contributors
- Dr Bruce Wiggins
- Michael Brown
- Dr Peter Lennox
The Signal Processing Applications Research Group has carried out much research into the field of hierarchical multi-channel audio platforms and algorithms e.g. see An Investigation into the Real-Time Manipulation and Control of Three Dimensional Sound Fields (PDF, 4.62mb)
However, all current audio mixing and editing software is 'hard wired' to utilise only a fixed number of speakers and with internal workings predicated on stereo mixing paradigms making any true, flexible multi-channel sound mixing problematic at best. This project is carrying out the implementation and documenting of a true hierarchical, flexible, mixing environment using the already established, permanent Multi-channel Sound Research Lab at the University of Derby. Our KRK Multi-channel Sound Lab consists of 30 speakers and four subs allowing for full 3D audio creation and audition. Custom software to drive the various speaker arrays available in the lab (the WigWear Ambisonic Plug-ins) have been constructed and hosted on music production software (such as Reaper - www.reaper.fm and Audiomulch - www.audiomulch.com) in order to allow for the creative use of the system using a convenient and familiar workflow. This work is currently being fed into a number of undergraduate modules allowing our students to create cutting edge, future proof, audio presentations.
The outcomes of this work were presented at the Institute of Acoustics' Reproduced Sound 24 International Conference with posters being presented at the University of Derby's Annual Learning, Teachning & Assessment Conferences (2007 and 2008).
