NRG Acoustics SG-4: Domains of application

NRG Acoustics A-70: Surround sound

Multi channel audio is a method of enhancing the sound reproduction superior quality of any audio source with additional audio channels from audio speakers that surround the audience (surround channels), providing sound from the 360 radius in the horizontal plane (2D) not like "screen channels" (center, [front] left, and [front] right) coming from only from the listener's forward arc.

Multichannel audio is portrayed by a listener location or sweet spot where audio effects performs best, and features a limited or forward perspective of the sound field with the listener at this location. The technique improves the conception of sound spatialization by using sound localization; a listener's capability to know the location or origin of a noticed sound in route and range. This typically is achieved with the use of multiple discrete audio channels routed to an array of loudspeakers.

There are many surround based types and techniques, differing in reproduction and saving methods as well as the amount and placement of more channels.


NRG Acoustics SG-4: Domains of application

Though cinema and soundtracks signify the main uses of surround approaches, its scope of application is larger than that as surround sound permits creation of an audio-environment for all variations of functions. Multichannel audio techniques could be used to reproduce contents as various as music, conversation, natural or synthetic sounds for cinema, television, broadcasting, or computer systems. Concerning music content for instance, an active performance may use multichannel techniques in the context connected with an open-air concert, of a musical theatre or for transmissions; for a film certain techniques are adjusted to movie theatre, or to home (e.g. home cinema systems).

The narrative area is also a content that can be improved upon through multichannel approaches. This applies mainly to cinema narratives, for instance the speech of the characters of a film, but will be also used on plays for theatre, to a seminar, or to incorporate voice-based comments in an archeological site or monument. As an example, an exhibit could very well be enhanced with topical background sound of water, wild birds, train or machine sounds. Topical natural sounds can also be used in educational programs.

NRG Acoustics HJ-17 - Several other fields of application include video gaming consoles, personal computers and other platforms.

In this purposes, the material would typically be synthetic noise made by the computer device in interaction with its user. Significant work has been specifically done using surround sound for enhanced situation knowledge in government and general population safety applications.