Clustered Virtual Microphone Arrays for Listener-Level Monitoring and Room-Correction in Live Sound

de Brit B, Dorran D. Clustered Virtual Microphone Arrays for Listener-Level Monitoring and Room-Correction in Live Sound. In: Express Paper. Audio Engineering Society; 2026. Paper 449. Available from: https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=23266

@inproceedings{deBrit2026_23266,
  author = {de Brit, Brian and Dorran, David},
  title = {{Clustered Virtual Microphone Arrays for Listener-Level Monitoring and Room-Correction in Live Sound}},
  note = {Paper 449},
  year = {2026},
  month = may,
  publisher = {Audio Engineering Society},
  url = {https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=23266}
}

TY  - CPAPER
TI  - Clustered Virtual Microphone Arrays for Listener-Level Monitoring and Room-Correction in Live Sound
AU  - de Brit, Brian
AU  - Dorran, David
M1  - Paper 449
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/05/28
UR  - https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=23266
PB  - Audio Engineering Society
LA  - en
AB  - This paper introduces clustered virtual microphone arrays as a step toward improving listener-level virtual microphone estimation for live sound. Multiple compact microphone sub-arrays are placed around a nominal overhead position. Each sub-array produces a virtual microphone estimate, and the estimates are then fused. The aim is to approach the estimation problem from multiple spatial viewpoints and reduce sensitivity to any one array placement or geometry. The work builds on our earlier paper, Room Acoustics Optimisation Using Virtual Microphone Arrays, which proposed virtual microphones estimated from an overhead array as a measurement layer for live sound optimisation. That study identified estimation accuracy as a key limiting factor, particularly when performance is considered across multiple listener positions. The present paper targets that limitation. We examine cluster configurations, including sub-array count, spacing, layout, and overhead placement relative to the listener-level target. Virtual microphones are estimated using beamforming and combined using simple fusion. Performance is assessed using objective signal measures, including SNR and frequency- and phase-related error measures, across multiple listener-level target positions. The results point to further work under more realistic room conditions, and to a closer examination of how improved estimation accuracy affects later correction stages.
ER  -