Ambisonischer

Ambisonischer, also known as ambisonics, is a full-sphere sound reproduction technique that captures, spatially encodes, and reproduces sound in three dimensions. Developed in the 1970s by Michael Gerzon and Peter Craven, ambisonics aims to recreate a natural, immersive auditory experience, allowing listeners to perceive sound sources from any direction, including above and below.

The core principle of ambisonics involves recording sound using an array of microphones arranged in a specific spatial configuration, which captures the sound field's directionality and energy. The captured signals are then encoded into a set of spherical harmonic components, collectively called an ambisonic signal. During playback, these signals are decoded and played back through an array of speakers or headphones, simulating a spherical sound environment.

Ambisonics is distinguished by its scalability and flexibility. It can be encoded at various orders, with higher orders providing more precise spatial resolution. The format is device-agnostic, capable of being rendered through loudspeaker arrays, binaural headphone playback, or virtual reality systems.

Due to its ability to provide a highly immersive sound experience, ambisonics is used in applications such as virtual reality, augmented reality, film production, and atmospheric sound recordings. Its open standards and compatibility with various playback systems have contributed to its growing adoption in immersive audio workflows.

Despite its advantages, ambisonics requires specialized encoding and decoding processes, as well as calibration to ensure accurate spatial perception. Overall, ambisonics remains a significant technology in the field of spatial audio, continually evolving with advancements in digital signal processing and immersive media.