NRG Acoustics

Surround sound is a technique for enriching the sound reproduction top quality of any audio source with additional audio channels from audio speakers that surround the audience (surround channels), providing sound from the 360 radius in the horizontal plane (2D) in contrast to "screen channels" (center, [front] left, and [front] right) coming from only within the listener's forward arc.

Surround sound is portrayed by a listener position or sweet spot where the audio effects performs best, and presents a set or forward perspective of the sound field to the listener at this location. The procedure enhances the conception of sound spatialization by manipulating sound localization; a listener's ability to know the location or origin of a noticed sound in route and distance. Typically this is achieved with the help of multiple discrete audio channels routed to an array of loudspeakers.

There are lots of surround based types and techniques, varying in reproduction and recording tactics in addition to the number and placement of of additional channels.


NRG Acoustics HJ-17: Fields of use

Though cinema and soundtracks signify the major purposes of surround techniques, its scope of application is larger than that as multichannel audio permits creation of an audio-environment for all variations of functions. Multichannel audio techniques could be used to reproduce contents as various as music, conversation, natural or synthetic sounds for cinema, television, broadcasting, or pc's. Concerning music material for example, a live performance may make use of multichannel approaches to the context of an open-air event, of a musical theatre or perhaps for broadcasting; for a film specific techniques are adjusted to movie theatre, or to home (e.g. home cinema systems).

The narrative area is also a content that can be improved upon through multichannel approaches. This applies mainly to cinema narratives, for instance the conversation of the characters of a film, but can also be used on plays for theatre, to a conference, or to blend voice-based comments in an archeological site or monument. Here is an example, an exhibit might be improved with topical background sound of water, wild birds, train or machine sounds. Topical natural sounds could also be used in informative programs.

NRG Acoustics SG-4 - Alternative fields of application incorporate gaming controllers, personal computers and other platforms.

In such purposes, the content would typically be synthetic noise maded by the computer unit in interaction with its user. Significant work has also been done using multichannel for enhanced situation knowledge in armed forces and public safety purposes.