Dirt Cheap 3D Spatial Audio

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA606777 | Open PDF

Abstract:

The advent of affordable sophisticated audio solutions for the home PC market has paved the way for low-cost true three-dimensional spatial audio, which can produce a sound effect from any 3D position source. The home entertainment market has guided the development of audio solutions for PCs through hardware support for stereo and Dolby R Surround Sound versions 4.1, 5.1, and 7.1. However these solutions provide sound panning only in a planar configuration, typically around the users entertainment room. The drivers for these home-market cards e.g. Direct Sound do not have support for non-planar configurations. There are other cards and drivers available that provide true 3D spatial audio, but they are geared for the professional user market and have steep price tags over one thousand dollars. We explain how to use inexpensive consumer-level hardware and free software for Linux to build a true 3D spatial audio system.

Author(s):
Klein, Eric ; Schmidt, Greg S. ; Tomlin, Erik B. ; Brown, Dennis G.
Author Organization(s):
NAVAL RESEARCH LAB WASHINGTON DC VIRTUAL REALITY LAB
Descriptive Note:
Journal article
Supplementary Note:
Published in the Linux Journal, p1-10, Oct 2005.
Pagination:
0011

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Contract/Grant Number(s):
N00014-04-WX-20102
Monitor Series:
ONR
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.5_Direct; JCA_5.5.1_Communicate Intent and Guidance; JCA_6.1.1_Wired Transmission; JCA_6.1.3_Switching and Routing; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_6.1_Information Transport; JCA_5.5.2_Task; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_8_Building Partnerships; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_8.2_Shape
Communities of Interest:
Weapons Technologies
Descriptor(s):
*LOW COSTS, *MICROCOMPUTERS, CONFIGURATIONS, MARKETING, PLANAR STRUCTURES, SOUND, SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION, USER NEEDS
Field(s)/Group(s):
Economics and Cost Analysis, Computer Hardware
Keyword(s):
AUDIO SOLUTIONS, THREE DIMENSIONAL SPATIAL AUDIO
Report Date:
2005 Oct 01
Creation Date:
2014 Sep 17