Perceptual Properties of Data-based Wave Field Synthesis

S. Spors, H Wierstorf, "Perceptual Properties of Data-based Wave Field Synthesis," in Fortschritte der Akustik - DAGA 2014, p. 594-595 (2014). [ paper ] [ presentation ]

Bibtex

@inproceedings{Spors2014a,
    title     = {Perceptual Properties of Data-based Wave Field Synthesis},
    author    = {Spors, Sascha and Wierstorf, Hagen},
    booktitle = {Fortschritte der Akustik - DAGA 2014},
    publisher = {DEGA e.V.},
    address   = {Oldenburg, Germany},
    pages     = {594--595},
    month     = {March},
    year      = {2014}
}

Abstract

Wave Field Synthesis (WFS) is a loudspeaker-based auralization technique that aims at the physical synthesis of a sound field within a large listening area. In order to synthesize the complex sound field of a reverberant enclosure, data-based rendering techniques are typically used. Here the spatio-temporal structure of the sound field is captured by a microphone array. The microphone signals are then post-processed in order to derive the loudspeaker driving signals. In theory, the captured field can be synthesized almost perfect for a wide frequency range. In practice, the limited number of microphones and loudspeakers, equipment noise and sensor position mismatch will impair the synthesized sound field. Consequently these technical restrictions may lead to audible degradations. This contribution investigates the perceptual properties of data-based WFS. The study considers the synthesis of a broad-band plane wave captured by a microphone array under free-field conditions. Timbral as well as spatial attributes, like localization and coloration, are investigated. Cross-references to known results from model-based rendering are furthermore highlighted.