Resources

"Using high-resolution directivity data of musical instruments for acoustic simulation and auralization", paper presented at the 155th AES convention, New York, NY, USA, 25-27th of October 2023.

Link to the paper in the AES Online E-Library. (You have to be a member of the AES online library. Please note that subscription costs are low.)

Stefan Feistel
AFMG Technologies, Berlin, Germany

David Ackermann, Stefan Weinzierl
Audio Communication Group, Technische Universität Berlin, Germany

Abstract
In a larger measurement campaign the directivity, sound power, and several audio features were measured for 41 musical instruments. This paper discusses the processing of the data for use in acoustic modeling programs. For this purpose, the directional measurements had to be converted to FIR data sets and the output level had to be calibrated for each instrument. The resulting GLL files for use in software such as EASE are now publicly available. Typical applications are discussed, such as coverage evaluation, source localization, as well as the simulated critical distance of musical instruments, which can be used to optimize microphone positions. Finally, auralizations of rooms are often based on musical performances, which can now be generated using real-world data.

Practical benefits:
Musical instruments can now be used in EASE acoustic simulations as sound sources with directivity data (as GLL format) and precise level calibration. This allows users to accurately evaluate acoustic parameters in projects where musical instruments are involved. It is also an important resource for auralizations, which can now be created using accurate real instrument data.