Sound Spaces

The theme Sound Spaces, launched in 2019, aims to host emerging research at LAM in the area of ​​the acoustics of spaces. These research directions are classified into three categories:

Currently active projects

  • ANR RASPUTIN : Room Acoustic Simulations for Perceptually Realistic Uses in Real-Time Immersive and Navigation Experiences
  • JPI-CH PHE : The Past Has Ears
  • ANR PHEND : The Past Has Ears at Notre-Dame
  • Facebook Reality Labs : Fundamental research in spatial auditory perception in the context of interactive and immersive virtual environments.
  • EVAA : Experimental Virtual Archaeological-Acoustics (a meta umbrella project)
  • Anaglyph : Binaural audio rendering plug-in
  • La Vierge 2020 : Hearing the Past : A virtual immersive audio concert for the ears, Recreating Notre-Dame Cathedral’s 850th anniversary performance of « La Vierge »

See the Projects page for additional projects.

Please check out the Gallery page for some video examples.

Spatial Audition

In the field of Sound perception, specifically Spatial Audition, our efforts are linked strongly to the Head-Related Transfer Function (HRTF). The audio virtual reality applications are strongly based on the use of HRTFs to render 3D audio over headsets. The studies in spatial hearing focus on the following concepts:

  • The relationship to the specific morphology of the individual
  • Inter- and intra-subject variability
  • Estimation and prediction methods
  • HRTF simulation using the finite element method (BEM)
  • Plasticity of the auditory system adapted for non-indivuels HRTFs
  • Mutlimodal interactions in spatial perception

Architectural acoustics and archaeo-acoustics

Listening in isolation is rare. We are typically situted in complex environements with reflecting surfaces and architectural details. To compliment spatial hearing studies, we are intertessed in spatial aspects of sound fields. In the field of Acoustics Room, studies have focused on the following concepts:

  • Real-time simulation tools
  • Coupled volumes
  • Spatial Cognition
  • Acoustic archeology, acoustics past places

Virtual Reality

During the last decade, virtual reality and augmented reality have taken an ever more important place in our daily life. Through the media, simulation tools, and assistive devices, audio-visual renderings systems have significantly evolved to meet diverse needs. However, the spatial dimension of audio modality is still relatively little used and may prove beneficial for large audiovisual applications. The purpose of our activities in virtual reality and augmented and audio interfaces is to study what can be the impact of 3D sound for these different applications.

Contact

Brian FG Katz