Rendering Binaural Room Impulse Responses from Spherical Microphone Array Recordings Using Timbre Correction

Abstract

The technique of rendering binaural room impulse responses from spatial data captured by spherical microphone arrays has been recently proposed and investigated perceptually. The finite spatial resolution enforced by the microphone configuration restricts the available frequency bandwidth and, accordingly, modifies the perceived timbre of the played-back material. This paper presents a feasibility study investigating the use of filters to correct such spectral artifacts. Listening tests are employed to gain a better understanding of how equalization affects externalization, source focus and timbre. Preliminary results suggest that timbre correction filters improve both timbral and spatial perception.