Ronald C.F. Antony wrote:
As long as online music distribution grows at the rates it's growing at, and as
long as everything there is stereo, something like iTunes plug-ins, and UHJ
mixes have a use, and if one could form a partnership with some of the big fish
out there, like e.g. Apple, then B-Format distribution would be a viable way
for music distribution, because one B-format source could cover all the
applications ranging from binaural, to stereo and N.M channel surround.
However, that case has to be made, and people would have to be unified when
trying to push such a case, and not end up bickering about how anything below
3rd order is unacceptable when we exactly know that anything as relatively
complex as 3rd order will never happen as a first step.
The geek factor someone else describes that makes Ambisonics inaccessible to
mere mortals, is significantly reduced, because the 3/4 channels of 1st order
wihout/with height are intuitively understandable, because concepts like XYZ
axis are fairly common knowledge, but Nth-order spherical harmonics are not,
and will just get blank stares, and once you start talking about lobes, they
think you're making smart ass comments about their pierced ears.
Now, this is a discussion we had, and I actually agree: Ambisonics 1st
order might easily be good enough to provide a 3D audio system for
headphones. (And forget UHJ as "general" solution.)
I believe that relatively cheap head-tracked headphones could be
introduced into the marketplace, and it will happen probably soonly.
(The Oculus Rift VR headset is supposed to cost just $300 when it will
hit the market, probably in 2014. Obviously, this and other devices
include head-tracking.)
I am aware that Dave Malham quite recently has written that
head-tracking wouldn't be a big deal, but I think otherwise. Didn't we
talk about the solutions from Smyth Research, some years ago?
Just to remember:
http://hometheater.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=hometheater&cdn=gadgets&tm=18&f=00&su=p284.13.342.ip_&tt=13&bt=1&bts=16&zu=http%3A//www.barryrudolph.com/utilities/smyth.html
Ambisonics 3rd order +: Believe me, you will need < at least > this for
a bigger space/audience. (And if we talk about the next standards for
cinema/UHD surround, because these are currently defined.)
Best,
Stefan
P.S.: Some people are very aware of Ambisonics, nowadays.
But once more, the future of surround won't be decided by Apple. (I
never have seen any specific interest of Apple in surround sound. Don't
take this as a polemic statement: Apple could have sold 5.1 tracks since
10 years or so...
And 1st order B format seems to be pretty defined, of course. Maybe they
should have a look into this simple but powerful 3D audio format for all
these future < individual > head-tracked glasses/VR devices/game
helmets/ simple HT earphones for music... Otherwise, Samsung, Nokia, M$
or anybody else could be faster. Competition is healthy... O:-) )
P.S. 2: Now, I am not a geek but a musician.
is unacceptable when we exactly know that anything as relatively complex as 3rd
order will never happen as a first step.
You have to compare this to Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D (and maybe 22.2),
which are established systems for next-generation surround.
FOA Ambisonics should be compared to 5.1, and both systems have
advantages and disadvantages...
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