Channel Based Streams
We have already covered the two-channel binaural stream type for monitoring and final encoding into a binaural format. One of the other important Stream Types is referred to as Channel Based. This stream can range from a single-channel mono to a multichannel audio stream (*). These streams will flow as a perfectly synchronized group through the signal graph defined in the Setup page. The channel count of the stream is set by the choice in the Speaker Arrangement pull-down menu of a module. A change to the speaker configuration here alters the channel count in and out of a module, depending on its context in the signal graph. When you connect channel-based modules together in SPAT Revolution, they automatically inherit the speaker arrangement and channel count from the stream type at their connected input.
- The Essential license limits the total number of channels to 32 input channels and 18 output channels.
Channel-based audio streams - when connected to a hardware output module - will render the spatial composition on speakers connected to the physical outputs of your audio hardware. SPAT Revolution is expecting the loudspeaker system specified in the speaker arrangement of the Output module. If the real loudspeaker arrangement does not correctly match the speaker arrangement model or there is a mistake in your routing somewhere, the spatial sound image will then be compromised.
Each output channel must be routed to the correct speaker.
The golden rule for spatialization using channel-based audio is that each rendered channel must be connected only to its corresponding sound emitter in the destination system. An exact correlation from the model to the physical system is assumed by the calculations inside each of the panning algorithms. If the installation is not right for some reason, a listener may experience something with spatial aspects, but not with the intended quality. Correctly installing and tuning a multichannel sound system is one of the more challenging aspects of working with spatial composition and performance systems. So many things can compromise the spatial image, and sometimes it is hard to tell by ears.
In order to try and simplify this process in practice, certain labeling conventions are used by engineers and designers to identify which speaker belongs to which channel. When channel counts are high, angular positioning and distance measurements are used to identify the correct speaker routing. In SPAT Revolution’s Speaker Arrangement editor, you additionally get a 3D graphical rendering of the sound system, where you can select speakers which will be visually identified, so you can label them clearly. These labels will be saved into a speaker arrangement profile, so you can get some more consistent reference points when routing.
| Left | Centre | Right |
|---|---|---|
| Left Surround | LFE | Right Surround |
| Left Back Surround | Center Back Surround | Right Back Surround |
| Top Back Left | Top Front Center | Top Back Right |
| Left Surround Rear | VOG | Right Surround Rear |
| Top Front Left | Back Center | Top Front Left |
Some common speaker channel naming conventions.
The process of matching the correct channel to the correct speaker is vital to the successful rendering of the spatial composition from a SPAT Revolution Virtual Room into a physical space. Further critical points to a successful project are the choice of panning type in a Virtual Room and consideration of the Sweet Spot for listener positioning. As it is such an important and often misunderstood idea, let us take a look at that topic before going further.