Exposition

Exploring the Potential of Spatial Audio for Live Sound Productions (2025)

Mick van Broekhoven
open exposition

About this exposition

Spatial audio technology is evolving rapidly, offering new creative possibilities for live sound. The primary goal of this thesis is to bridge the gap between the potential of the evolving technology in spatial audio and its creative application in a live sound environment for smaller venues. This research aims to provide designers and engineers with actionable insights and tools for creatively integrating spatial audio by evaluating its impact on the audience’s experience. A listening test was conducted using a five-speaker frontal row setup to compare different panning algorithms based on their localisation accuracy. Additionally, hands-on case studies and surveys were used to identify the impact on the audience’s experience and to find practical limitations of implementing spatial audio, such as space and available technical resources. The findings highlight how spatial audio can enhance storytelling and audience immersion in live sound designs but also reveal key constraints that need to be considered for successful implementation. Based on these insights, this thesis offers suggestions for applying spatial audio techniques in smaller venues, helping designers and engineers to effectively and creatively implement spatial audio in their live sound designs.
typeresearch exposition
keywordsSpatial Audio, Sound Design, Live Sound Engineering, Live Sound Design, Immersive, Theatre, sound reinforcement design, sound reinforcement, art of sound
date02/03/2025
published14/07/2025
last modified14/07/2025
statuslimited publication
affiliationKoninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag
copyrightMick van Broekhoven
licenseCC BY-NC-ND
languageEnglish
urlhttps://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/3191624/3191625
published inKC Research Portal
portal issue3. Internal publication


Copyrights

nameExploring the Potential of Spatial Audio for Live Sound Productions
copyrightMick van Broekhoven
licenseAll rights reserved
usagespdf

comments: 1 (last entry by Brecht de Man - 05/03/2025 at 15:19)