Convention Paper
360° Localization via 4.x RACE Processing
AES Convention 123 · Paper 7301 · October 2007
Abstract
Recursive Ambiophonic Crosstalk Elimination (RACE), implemented as a VST plug-in, convolved from an impulse response, or purchased as part of a TacT Audio or other home audiophile product, properly reproduces all the ITD and ILD data sequestered in most standard two or multichannel media. Ambiophonics is so named because it is intended to be the replacement for 75 year old stereophonics and 5.1 in the home, car, or monitoring studio, but not in theaters. The response curves show that RACE produces a loudspeaker binaural soundfield with no audible colorations, much like Ambisonics or Wavefield Synthesis. RACE can do this starting with most standard CD/LP/DVD two, four or five-channel media, or even better, 2 or 4 channel recordings made with an Ambiophone, using one or two pairs of closely spaced loudspeakers. The RACE stage can easily span up to 170° for two channel orchestral recordings or 360° for movie/electronic-music surround sources. RACE is not sensitive to head rotation and listeners can nod, recline, stand up, lean sideways, move forward and back, or sit one behind the other. As in 5.1, off center listeners can easily localize the center dialog even though no center speaker is ever needed.
