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Re: for all you high end surround heads

Subject: Re: for all you high end surround heads
From: Lang Elliott <>
Date: Sat, 19 Jun 2004 10:41:04 -0400
Walt:

At a bare minimum, such software is quite useful if you ever wanted to mix a
monaural recording such as a parabolic closeup into a SASS recording. If you
try to do this straight on, you can really hear that the monaural source
doesn't fit with the rest of the recording. But if you process it first to
"binauralize" it, then it will mix transparently.

Some years ago, I did this several time for certain specific projects. But I
didn't have software that would binauralize the monaural sounds. Instead
what I did was bring the monaural recording into Pro Tools and create two
identical tracks. Then I would shift one track a bit to create a time delay
similar to what actually occurs in nature due to ear width. I would also
lower the volume of the delayed channel by some forgotten amount to simulate
the head shadow effect.

By doing these manipulations of the monaural recording, I was in effect
binauralizing it (at least to some degree) and placing that sound source to
one side or the other of the soundfield. This processed monaural recording
then could be mixed with a SASS recording with very good results.

Lang

From: Lang Elliott <>
> 
> Interesting. When a mono source is "placed", what does the software actually
> do? I'm sure that it adjusts the differential loudness of the signals coming
> from different speakers, but does it also introduce delay and possibly do
> some spectral shaping to simulate head related transfer functions (HRTFs)? I
> imagine that it depends on the software that is being used.

Most such is just panning around a level circle, in fact just left to
right by adjusting sound level. But Soundhack has a binaural filter that
no only will place the sound in a 360 degree circle, but has up, down or
level. Either a fixed position, or a moving one. I've not played with it
much, so can't say what it can do. Has the advantage of being free, however.
http://www.soundhack.com/freeware.php

Here's what the manual says:
"This process allows you process a monaural soundfile (creating a stereo
file). The result is a signal at a simulated position around the head.
This is done by using a HRTF (head related transfer function) as a
filter, with a separate function for each position around the head.
To use the binaural filter, enter the desired position in the Angle text
box (in degrees) or click the appropriate radio button. This processing
module has filter data for 12 positions. If you enter an angle between 2
positions you will get a filter which is the mix of the 2 filters around
it. The Moving Angle box will allow you to do moving spatialization.
These HRTFs were obtained by Durand R. Begault, using methods described
in "3-D Sound for Virtual Reality and Multimedia" (Academic Press: ISBN
0-12-084735-3)."

The spectral dynamics filter in there is interesting too. The ability to
filter according to sound level. Selecting a specific part of the
dynamic range.

It also has a good sonogram display, though linear only.

Walt




"Microphones are not ears,
Loudspeakers are not birds,
A listening room is not nature."
Klas Strandberg 


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