Object Audio Separation for Wide-Range Gain and Panning Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio signal processing methods face challenges in controlling the gain and panning of object signals without distortion, especially when adjusting vocal or background music, and ensuring downward compatibility using channel-oriented decoding.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for processing audio signals that allow flexible conversion of object information into multi-channel parameters for upmixing, enabling user-controlled gain and panning of object signals without generating distortion, even when vocal or background music is adjusted within a large range, by separating downmix information into independent and background objects using enhanced object information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gain adjustment is applied to vocal or background music, then the desired volume control is achieved, but distortion in sound quality occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The audio signal is segmented into multiple independent objects (vocal, background music, effects) that can be processed separately. This allows individual gain adjustment of each object without affecting the others, enabling volume control without distortion by maintaining the integrity of each sound source during processing
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the processing approach from direct gain adjustment to a multi-stage process involving separation, individual object processing with controlled gain changes, and recombination. This parameter transformation allows volume control while managing distortion through sophisticated signal processing of each object independently
2Adaptability or versatility
If object-based processing is implemented, then flexible gain and panning control is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The audio signal is divided into independent objects that can be controlled separately for gain and panning. This segmentation enables flexible control of each sound source's position and volume in the stereo field, allowing users to independently adjust vocal, background music, and effect elements without affecting other components
Solution Approach 2:
The object-based processing system provides universal control capabilities that work across different audio formats and content types. The same processing framework handles various audio scenarios (stereo, multi-channel, different content genres) through a unified approach to gain and panning control of separated objects
3Measurement precision
If downmix information is separated into multiple objects, then precise object control is achieved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The downmix signal is segmented into distinct audio objects using signal processing techniques that identify and separate different sound sources. This segmentation enables precise control of each object's gain and panning by treating them as independent entities rather than processing the mixed signal as a whole
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses intermediate processing stages that facilitate the separation of downmix information into objects. These intermediary processes include spectral analysis, temporal processing, and object identification algorithms that bridge the gap between the mixed input signal and the separated object outputs
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for processing an audio signal is disclosed. Herein, the method includes receiving a downmix information having at least one independent object and a background object downmixed therein; receiving an object information and a mix information; and extracting at least one independent object from the downmix information using the object information and the enhanced object information.