Audio Signal Delay Synchronization for Live Loudspeaker Arrays
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Audio playback systems in live music venues experience delays and audio degradation due to signal propagation, speaker placement, atmospheric interference, and acoustic reflections, leading to echo and frequency imbalances that affect listener experience.
Innovation Solution
A computing system comprising a transmitter device and receiver device, utilizing ASICs, FPGAs, CPUs, or DSPs, synchronizes audio signals to detect and correct delays, improving audio quality by determining differential delays and adjusting system components for synchronized playback across multiple loudspeakers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If loudspeakers are installed at various locations throughout a live music venue to improve sound distribution, then audio coverage is improved, but spatial delays cause echo and synchronization issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and applies delay compensation values to each loudspeaker based on its location relative to the audio source and listening positions. This preliminary adjustment ensures that sound waves from multiple loudspeakers arrive synchronized at the listening area, preventing echo while maintaining wide audio coverage.
2Manufacturing precision
If audio processing devices are used to mix and process audio signals, then audio quality is improved, but processing delays are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures the actual delay introduced by audio processing devices and uses this feedback to calculate appropriate compensation values. These compensation values are then applied to adjust the timing of audio signals sent to different loudspeakers, effectively canceling out the processing delays while maintaining audio quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple audio channels are processed through conversion devices, then audio functionality is improved, but conversion delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different delay compensation values to different audio channels based on their specific processing paths and conversion devices. This localized adjustment ensures that each channel's delay is optimized individually, maintaining audio functionality while minimizing overall conversion delays.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are new techniques carried out by a computing system for determining delays of various components of an audio system to allow for accurate correction of these delays, which may improve the audio quality of live performances for listeners who hear audio reproduced by loudspeakers at live performance venues. In one implementation the computing system, which may comprise a transmitter device and one or more receiver devices, may be configured to perform functions, including receiving a first audio signal, receiving, via an audio input interface of the receiver, a second audio signal, and determining, based on the first audio signal and the second audio signal, an audio delay that is associated with the second audio signal. The computing system may be configured to perform further functions, including based on a determined cross-correlation between a downsampled audio signal and a filtered second audio signal, determining the audio signal delay.