IKS: Audio

Recording the Aachen Symphony Orchestra in 3D

For the new IKS|Lab we captured our first 360° videos with spatial sound. We got the great opportunity to join the Aachen Symphony Orchestra during different rehearsals and concerts to record professional orchestral music.

Spatial Audio Acquisition & Processing

At IKS, we contribute to the research in Spatial Audio Processing. The term refers to the processing of multiple signals which are a representation of observations of a sound field. It comprises the sampling of the field, the mathematical signal representation, the analysis, modification and synthesis of signals, and perceptual aspects of aural localization.

Active Noise Control

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is based on the principle of anti-phase compensation. A cancellation signal is emitted, which superposes and cancels out existing noise. The cancellation signal is created by filtering a reference signal with a filter. This filter is either adjusted online by an adaptive algorithm or optimized in advance by methods of control theory. We are specifically working on the application of ANC for headphones and hearing aids.

Multi-Channel Upmix

Stereo to multi-channel upmix is a technique used to adapt stereo audio signals to playback setups with multiple speakers. Modern approaches make use of dynamic signal decomposition in direct and diffuse parts and spatial rendering methods.

Multi-Channel System Identification

Algorithm to perform fast identification and tracking of time-variant, linear multi-channel systems. Dynamic measurement of continuous-azimuth HRIRs

Immersive Audio Coding

New concepts in Spatial Audio Acquisition and Processing require new concepts for the representation and data efficient transmission of spatial audio. Channel-based formats such as 5.1 are not suited for a flexible adaptation to various playback setups. Therefore, concepts such as Spatial Audio Object Coding (SAOC) and Higher Order Ambisonic (HOA) are needed for modern audio codecs such as MPEG-H 3D Audio.

Natural Own Voice by Active Occlusion Cancellation

The phenomenon, that the own-voice sounds boomy, when the ear is closed by a hearable, is due to the occlusion effect, which attenuates air-conducted sound while amplifying body-conducted sound. Active occlusion cancellation technology eliminates the occlusion effect, allowing hearables users to perceive their voice and environment with natural clarity.