Synthesizing spatially complex sound in virtual space: an accurate offlinealgorithm

The study of spatial processing in the auditory system usually requires com plex experimental setups. using arrays of speakers or speakers mounted on m oving arms. These devices, while allowing precision in the presentation of the spatial attributes of sound, are complex, expensive and limited. Altern ative approaches rely on Virtual space sound delivery. In this paper, we de scribe a virtual space algorithm that enables accurate reconstruction of ea rdrum waveforms For arbitrary sound sources moving along arbitrary trajecto ries in space. A physical validation of the synthesis algorithm is performe d by comparing waveforms recorded during real motion with waveforms synthes ized by the algorithm. As a demonstration of possible applications of the a lgorithm, virtual motion stimuli are used to reproduce psychophysical resul ts in humans and for studying responses of barn owls to auditory motion sti muli. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.