Sound mixing simulation in a venue for virtual reality systems

V diplomskem delu je predstavljen razvoj simulacije mešanja zvoka v dvorani, ki je izvedena s tehnologijami navidezne resničnosti in prostorskega zvoka. Glavni namen simulacije je uporabniku predstaviti proces mešanja zvoka v dvorani brez uporabe sredstev, ki jih področje sicer zahteva. V uvodnem delu je opredeljeno področje dela, nato so prikazane obstoječe rešitve, ki delno rešijo problem ali uporabljajo obravnavane koncepte. Raziskana je domena navidezne resničnosti, kar je potrebno za razumevanje njene vloge in zmožnosti pri razvoju simulacije. Pregledana so področja akustike, ki so uporabljena pri vzpostavitvi prostorskega zvoka in mešanja zvoka v navidezni dvorani. Opisan je razvoj aplikacije z implementacijo osnovne mešalne mize in načinom interakcije na osebnem računalniku ter v okolju navidezne resničnosti. V zaključnih poglavjih je opredeljena izbira orodja za prostorski zvok, predstavljene so kvalitete in pomanjkljivosti simuliranega zvoka v sceni ter interakcije uporabnika. Predlagane so možne nadgradnje, hkrati pa je predstavljeno stališče glede uporabnosti simulacije.This thesis describes the development of a simulation of audio mixing in a hall, which is performed with virtual reality technologies and spatial audio. The main purpose of the simulation is to present the process of audio mixing to a user without the assets which are required in this field. The field of audio mixing is defined in the introduction. Furthermore, the existing solutions, which partly solve the problem or use studied concepts, are presented. The domain of virtual reality is researched in order to understand its role and capabilities when developing the simulation. The fields of acoustics are studied to establish spatial audio and the process of audio mixing in the virtual hall. The application development is described along with the implementation of a basic mixing console, the way of interaction on a personal computer, and in the virtual reality environment. In the final chapters, the choice of spatial audio tools, the qualities and drawbacks of the simulated sound in the scene, and the user interaction are discussed along with potential improvements and usability of the simulation