Vambu Sound: A mixed-technique 4-D reproduction system with a heightened frontal localisation area

A system, Vambu Sound, was developed for BBC R&D to create a spatial audio production environment. The specification of the system is to provide better localisation around a main television screen and diffuse sound from around the listener. The developed system uses vector base amplitude panning for six loudspeakers in front of the listener and dual-band decoded first order Ambisonics for eight loudspeakers in the corners of a cube configuration. The system is made "4-D" by the incorporation of a dedicated haptic feedback channel within the audio format. The work flow of the system is described with the advantages and disadvantages over the conventional single Digital Audio Workstation environment highlighted. The incorporation of spatial audio control within Nuendo and the development of the Vambu Sound spatializer application built in Max/MSP are presented alongside the inter-application midi communication protocol. Real world problems in its use are drawn upon to emphasise the systems positive and negative attributes. Finally user feedback to Vambu Sound demonstration is presented, showing initial reactions to the system. The overall feedback indicates a good level of immersion, particularly from the use of haptic feedback in key places of the drama-based point-of-view demonstration material produced.