APPARATUS, METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAMS FOR ENABLING RENDERING OF SPATIAL AUDIO SIGNALS

One or more audio signals 201, together with spatial metadata 203, are obtained. The signals are altered by an audio effect 205, and audio effect information 207 is obtained that relates to how the audio signals are affected by the audio effect. The audio effect information and the spatial metadata are then used to enable spatial rendering 209 of the altered audio signals. The audio effect may alter, or depend on, the frequency spectrum or temporal characteristics. The spatial rendering of the altered audio signals may use modified spatial metadata based on the audio effect information, and using the audio effect information may adjust frequency bands or the sizes of time frames. Spatial characteristics, such as binaural characteristics, may be compensated for before applying the audio effect. Covariance matrix characteristics may be analysed, and the spatial rendering adjusted so as to match a target covariance matrix.