Optimum height for surround recordings with height channels

Abstract

This research investigates the perceptional qualities of various microphone distances between the low channel microphones and height channel microphones in order to decide optimum height for height microphones in three-dimensional acoustic recordings. First, the thesis introduces information about the added value of the height channels in audio recording, and then it presents the development of recording techniques and technology, and the current knowledge and limitations of the related recording methods. Next, the thesis discusses the methodology and the process of the research, followed by data analysis, discussion and conclusions about a listening test involving multiple distances between lower and height channels. Finally, the limitations of the research are addressed and suggestions for future research are offered. The results of the listening test show significant results on depth perception and envelopment. However, the rest of the results show no major significant difference between the perceptions of different height channel setups.