05-04-2021, 01:09 PM | #1 |
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Seeking greater directivity
Hello,
I am using SPARTA/IEM and Blue Ripple plug-ins to compose in 3rd-7th order for binaural reproduction and have been disappointed with the directivity of the signals. I would love some help understanding the issues and identifying methods to increase directionality of signals. Sitting in my car and listening to raindrops hit the roof convinced me that my workflow is missing something or there's a significant ways to go. 1. Using a mono signal of a simple, timbrally-rich transient, I directionalize it to 3rd (or 7th) order using an encoder (typically O3A but I have tried IEM and SPARTA). 2. I decode that to headtracked binaural for the headphone output. 3. Verify the required track count is satisfied and instantiate an Energy Visualizer on the Mix Monitor track. With this setup the output responds to source placement (panning) in the encoder and responds to my headtracked movements. Where I am struggling is achieving MORE directionality. I've tried using Directivity Shaper in conjunction with the Room Encoder according to the documentation (https://plugins.iem.at/docs/directivityshaper/) but the placement of sounds is still diffuse to my ears. I have tried loading custom SOFA files but find it crashes SPARTA/Reaper more often than my liking. One possible avenue of interest is with exotic HRTF SOFA files. I would like to hear through a bat's ears some day. Anyways, if anyone has methods they use to increase directivity I am all ears. Best Cotally |
05-05-2021, 01:25 AM | #2 |
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Hello,
It seems to me that you have already done everything possible ... The ambisonic encoding configured in order 7 considerably reduces the spatial blurring provided by this technique, and it can be considered that its degree of precision is in this case quite acceptable. The problem of binaural processing is more complicated, and at this level I suppose that only the use of personalized hrtf could allow an improvement, especially regarding the elevation! You could also try to not go through the ambisonics processing and conversion, if your purpose is to produce binaural. Some binaural spatialization plugins are very good at it : http://anaglyph.dalembert.upmc.fr/index.html Last edited by jm duchenne; 05-05-2021 at 01:30 AM. |
05-05-2021, 09:46 AM | #3 |
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It's a bit expensive but DearVR Pro seems to walk this line well for me. I use it for spatialized mono sources, objects basically. Because it outputs to speaker arrays, binaural or ambisonics I can easily fit it into whatever format I'm mixing for.
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05-05-2021, 12:15 PM | #4 |
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Cotally, I would be curious to check the Reaper project (without the audio files): maybe there is some routing problems?
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05-05-2021, 01:16 PM | #5 | |
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The directionality is OK but what I really want is, simply, an off-axis attenuator. Specifically I want sounds coming from behind to be more attenuated. I started the reddit.com/r/HRTF in an effort to get a better understanding of the HRTF/SOFA file resources out there but still find the subject daunting (as an amateur). I found a matching ear/shape and size in the CIPIC database but its directionalization was backwards using SPARTA's binauralizer. What I'd really like is some exotic HRTFs to be able to use the decoding of the soundfield for artistic purposes as opposed to solely accurate reproduction. Best, Cotally Last edited by Cotally; 05-05-2021 at 09:38 PM. |
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05-05-2021, 09:53 PM | #6 | |
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Thanks |
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05-05-2021, 09:55 PM | #7 |
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Have you tried SPARTA and compared? I've read anecdotal sources that say DearVR has desirable processing but am wondering if it's actually superior to IEM or SPARTA. Also it seems the head-tracking is limited to their Spatial Connect system. No way I'm wearing a clunky headset longer than I need to...
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05-06-2021, 10:41 AM | #8 |
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So,
- Maybe a setting you forgot, but the AmbiBIN is set for 7th order, but the project is 3rd order. - To attenuate certain directions, maybe you should have a look at Matthias Kronlachner's ambiX plug-ins, namely the "ambix_directional_loudness": http://www.matthiaskronlachner.com/?p=2015 Kronlachner's mcfx plug-ins are also quite useful: http://www.matthiaskronlachner.com/?p=1910 |
05-06-2021, 10:46 PM | #9 | ||
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My current thought is that it will take modifying an HRTF to attenuate sounds coming arriving at the rear of the head. If anyone has the ability to assist me in this effort I would be grateful. I've got Octave and the SOFA API installed but am outside my comfort zone. Last edited by Cotally; 05-06-2021 at 11:11 PM. |
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05-07-2021, 02:39 AM | #10 |
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Not to be nitpicking here, but, when you say that you "can monitor in 7th order", is that actual audio you're monitoring in 7th order?
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05-07-2021, 08:32 AM | #11 | ||
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05-07-2021, 09:27 AM | #12 |
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Specifically, I take a mono timbrally-rich source and use either IEM or SPARTA or Kronlachner's AmbiX plug-ins to place that in a 7th-order-ambisonics space (64 channels), then I decode via the same plug-ins to head-tracked binaural. I haven't opted to work in 7th order much as I notice more ticks/drop-outs given the heavy workload. My plan would be to work in 3rd order then finish/export master at 7th order.
Last edited by Cotally; 05-07-2021 at 09:39 AM. |
05-07-2021, 09:38 AM | #13 | ||
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On a side-note: I have been listening to your podcast btw but am wondering if you have a downloadable version as my youtube experience isn't head-tracked. Last edited by Cotally; 05-07-2021 at 10:10 AM. |
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05-07-2021, 03:15 PM | #14 | |||
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