Multi channel audio
Multichannel surround sound is a way of enhancing the sound reproduction high quality of any audio source with additional audio channels from audio speakers that surround the listener (surround channels), providing sound from the 360 radius within the horizontal plane (2D) in contrast to "screen channels" (center, [front] left, and [front] right) coming from only from the listener's forward arc.
Multichannel audio is characterized by a listener location or sweet spot in which the audio effects performs best, and features a set or frontward perspective of the sound area to the listener at this location. The technique enhances the conception of sound spatialization by using sound localization; a listener's ability to know the location or origin of a noticed sound in direction and distance. Typically this is achieved by means of multiple discrete audio channels routed to an array of loudspeakers.
There are lots of multichannel sorround sound systems based formats and methods, differing in processing and recording methods combined with amount and placement of more stations.
Fields of application
Though cinema and soundtracks characterize the primary uses of surround solutions, its scope of use is larger than that as multi channel audio permits creation of an audio-environment for all sorts of purposes. Multichannel techniques are useful to reproduce contents as varied as music, speech, natural or synthetic sounds for cinema, television, transmissions, or pcs. With regard to music content one example is, an active performance may also use multichannel approaches to the context associated with an open-air event, of a musical theatre or for broadcasting; for a film certain techniques are adjusted to cinema, or even to home (e.g. home cinema systems).
The narrative space is also a content that may be improved upon through multichannel approaches. This is applicable mainly to cinema narratives, much like the speech of the characters of a film, but can even be used on plays for theatre, to a meeting, or to integrate voice-based comments in an archeological site or monument. As one example, an exhibition may perhaps be enhanced with topical background sound of water, wild birds, train or equipment noise. Applicable natural sounds may also be used in informative applications.
- Other fields of application incorporate video gaming consoles, personal computers along with other platforms.
In this applications, the material would typically be synthetic noise made by the computer system in interaction with its user. Substantial work has also been done using multichannel audio for enhanced situation awareness in military and public safety applications.
BNW Acoustics ZM-12
Channel
1) In multitrack tape machines, this term means the same thing as the term Track (one audio recording made on a portion of the width of a multitrack tape).
2) A single path that an audio signal travels or can travel through a device from an input to an output.
MIDI Channel
A grouping of data about the performance of one synthesizer or device, separate from data for other synthesizers/devices.
Acoustic Amplifier
The portion of the instrument which makes the vibrating source move more air or move air more efficiently; this makes the sound of the instrument louder. Examples of acoustic amplifiers include:
1) The body of an acoustic guitar,
2) The sounding board of a piano,
3) The bell of a horn and
4) The shell of a drum.
Automation
In consoles, a feature that lets the engineer program control changes (such as fader level) so that upon playback of the multitrack recording these changes happen automatically.