The Distribution of Ambisonic and Point Source Rendering to Ethernet AVB Speakers

Point source rendering is used by many object-based audio systems to mix audio objects to loudspeaker arrangements. Algorithms such as Distance-Based Amplitude Panning and Vector-Base Amplitude Panning allow for audio objects to have their locations rendered with high precision. It has been shown that in the context of loudspeaker rendering, point sources rendered with Ambisonics are often spatially blurred. However, Ambisonics does have the advantage of being able to create interesting spatial audio effects and ambient scenes can be recorded using Ambisonic microphones. This paper intends to highlight the advantages that may be gained by combining Ambisonics with virtual point source rendering. It is well known that the processing required for rendering both point source and Ambisonics can have a large overhead. To mitigate this, a distributed spatial audio system based on Ethernet AVB and distributed endpoint processors is modified to incorporate both point source rendering and Ambisonics. An example is given of how point source rendering can be integrated with Ambisonics using this system with existing software.