Auralization approach for Impulse Response Utility

A common strategy for placing speakers and microphones in a space uses the auralization approach. This technique attempts to capture the reflections from the performer’s perspective. Place one or more speakers at the performer’s location (or the location of another audio source) and place the microphone at the listening position. The resulting impulse response should sound like your audio is being played back from these specific speaker locations. For example, you can make a stereo impulse response of a particular stage using the auralization technique. When you then use the resulting impulse response in Space Designer, your audio should sound like it is on that stage. The image illustrates use of the auralization technique to set up your speakers and microphones for a true stereo impulse response.

To capture a surround impulse response that represents being in the audience of a space, set up two speakers in the performer’s position as above, but place a surround array of microphones around the room. This can create a realistic feeling (and effect) of being in the audience when the performance is coming from in front of you. This can also help to create a surround-like effect from a live stereo recording.