Venue-Specific Audio Rendering via Acoustic Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The immersive audio experiences provided by advanced audio technologies like surround-sound and 3D audio can be diminished in real-world venues due to inherent audio interferences and acoustic challenges specific to each venue, such as reverberation and ambient noise, which existing technologies fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for playing venue-specific object-based audio, utilizing audio enhancement software and object-based audio rendering software to adjust audio components and balances based on venue-specific parameters, such as dimensions, acoustics, and noise levels, to create a unique audio mix that optimizes the playback experience by modifying the levels and balances of dialog, music, and effects components, and adjusting the surround and overhead sound balances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If object-based audio is played in real-world venues using conventional playback systems, then the audio components can be reproduced, but the immersive audio experience is diminished due to venue-specific acoustic interferences
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary acoustic measurements of the venue before audio playback, capturing venue-specific parameters such as reverberation time, ambient noise levels, and acoustic interference patterns. These measurements are stored and used to pre-calculate compensation parameters that will be applied during actual audio playback, allowing the system to proactively address acoustic challenges rather than reacting to them in real-time
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts audio playback parameters based on measured venue characteristics. Specifically, it modifies dialog enhancement parameters, surround balance levels, overhead balance levels, and equalization curves to compensate for venue-specific acoustic interferences. These parameter changes are calculated based on the relationship between measured acoustic properties and optimal playback settings, allowing the audio experience to adapt to different venue conditions
2Manufacturing precision
If the audio mix is optimized for audio excellence in sound studios, then the audio quality is maximized, but the playback experience is diminished when played in real-world venues with acoustic interferences
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary processing layer between the studio-mastered audio and the venue playback system. This intermediary layer, implemented through the audio playback device, applies venue-specific compensation processing that bridges the gap between controlled studio conditions and variable real-world playback environments. The intermediary processing includes dialog enhancement, balance adjustments, and equalization that adapts the studio-optimized audio to the specific acoustic characteristics of the playback venue
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary acoustic measurements and calculations to determine optimal playback parameters before actual audio reproduction. By measuring venue acoustics in advance and pre-calculating compensation parameters, the system prepares the audio playback in advance to counteract venue-specific interferences, ensuring that the studio-optimized audio maintains its quality integrity when played in less controlled real-world environments
3Device complexity
If the audio playback system uses fixed balance settings, then the system complexity is reduced, but the audio experience cannot be optimized for different venue acoustics
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static, fixed balance settings to dynamic, adaptive balance control. The surround balance and overhead balance levels are no longer fixed but are automatically adjusted based on real-time or pre-measured venue acoustic characteristics. This dynamic adaptation allows the same playback system to optimize audio presentation across diverse venue types without requiring manual reconfiguration or complex user intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service automation where the audio playback device automatically measures or receives venue acoustic parameters, calculates optimal playback settings, and adjusts audio balances without user intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously adapting to different venue conditions, eliminating the need for manual system configuration while maintaining simplicity for the end user
4Measurement precision
If the dialog level is enhanced to improve intelligibility, then dialog clarity is improved, but the overall sound balance and immersive experience may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multi-parameter adjustment for dialog enhancement rather than simply increasing dialog level. It simultaneously modifies dialog enhancement parameters, surround balance levels, and overhead balance levels in a coordinated manner. The dialog enhancement is achieved through spectral processing and selective amplification in the frequency domain, while compensatory adjustments to surround and overhead balances maintain the overall immersive audio experience without creating imbalance
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a system and method for playing a venue-specific object-based audio in a venue, the system comprising a memory, and a processor configured to receive an object-based audio including a plurality of audio components and create a venue-specific object-based audio based on a modification metadata by adjusting a level of at least one of the plurality of audio components of the object-based audio, the processor executing the object-based audio rendering software to render the venue-specific object-based audio in the venue.