With Fraunhofer IDMT’s spatial acoustics simulation, any room can be turned into a concert hall

Being among the world’s leading research institutes in the field of spatial acoustics, Fraunhofer IDMT has now added a new feature to its “SpatialSound Wave“ 3D sound system: interactive room simulation technology allows true-to-life sound reproduction in any room.

SpatialSound Wave, the sound and production system developed by Fraunhofer IDMT, allows consistent reproduction of sound objects and acoustic environments, so that the audience can fully immerse themselves in the sound. By empowering SpatialSound Wave to reproduce any room characteristics, Fraunhofer IDMT’s acousticians have created a whole new quality in true-to-life room acoustics simulation.

Interactive spatial acoustics simulation to provide optimal room acoustics

Taking advantage of dynamic room simulation, acoustic characteristics of both virtual and real rooms can be simulated, allowing to achieve excellent 3D sound of music performances and optimal room acoustics. Acoustics produced can be adapted to the requirements and ambient conditions of any event, in order to make for, for example, improved voice sound quality at conferences or optimal sound during concerts. “As we are able to interactively adjust reverberation time, we can manipulate any room acoustics and adapt it to the position and movement of sound sources. For example, when a singer is moving on stage, the audience usually will notice a change in the acoustics they perceice. We are now able to manipulate room acoustics so that any listener, regardless of where they are seated, can enjoy a consistent, true-to-life sound“, says René Rodigast, head of Professional Audio group at Fraunhofer IDMT. “Apart from that, we are able to switch between several simulated rooms in real-time, allowing listeners to get different sound impressions by the push of a button, like, for example, a concert hall, a cathedral, or a football stadium“, Mr Rodigast adds.

Spatial acoustics for multiple purposes

SpatialSound Wave is based on Fraunhofer IDMT’s many years of experience with spatial audio reproduction technology, such as wave field synthesis. SpatialSound Wave comes as a compact spatial sound reproduction system that does not require a closed-loop loudspeaker setup in order to provide great true-to-life sound immersion. The system can be used as a fixed or a mobile installation for conferences, clubs, concerts, events, as well as in planetariums or theme parks.

SpatialSound Wave at Prolight + Sound 2013, Frankfurt

Visitors of the Prolight + Sound trade fair, taking place April 10 – 13 in Frankfurt, are invited to stop by at the booth of Fraunhofer IDMT (Hall 8, E 37) to witness live demos and get to know the latest on interactive room simulation.

Fraunhofer IDMT will also be contributing to the Media Systems Congress at Prolight + Sound, giving a presentation entitled “Speech Reproduction and Concert Acoustics: Spatial Acoustics Simulation in 3D Sound Engineering“, in the course of which attendees will be learning about the technology and what purposes it can be used for.

Speaker: René Rodigast
Date: April 12, 2013, 11 a.m.
Place: Herstellerforum, Media Systems Congress
Media representatives are cordially invited to attend the presentation.
About Fraunhofer IDMT
The Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT is doing applied research in the field of audiovisual media. The Institute is known as a competent partner of industry when it comes to developing groundbreaking technologies for the digital media domain. Together with its contracting partners Fraunhofer IDMT develops cutting-edge solutions consistently designed to meet user requirements and expectations. At its headquarters in Ilmenau and its branches in Erfurt and Oldenburg Fraunhofer IDMT employs over one-hundred people working on the Institute’s research portfolio.

Press and Public Relations

Stefanie Miethbauer
Phone +49 3677 467-331
stefanie.miethbauer@idmt.fraunhofer.de