Genelec has announced its Aural ID software technology, designed to acquire a user’s acoustic attributes to create a detailed modelling of their anatomical features affecting hearing.
The software compensates for the user’s anatomical features to deliver accurate sound when headphones are used for reproduction.
Aural ID works by calculating a user’s personal head related transfer function (HRTF).
The HRTF then describes the acoustical properties of the head, upper torso and external ear, which all play a part in how sound reaches the eardrums.
This information is then computed and creates a personal data file, characterising the modification to sound arriving from the direction and elevation.
The file then enables an audio engine to render stereo or immersive content via headphones.
Gathering personal HRTF information previously involved an anechoic room, placement of measurement microphones at the entry of a user’s ear canals and multiple measurements.
Genelec Aural ID software requires the user to provide a 360 degree video of their head and shoulder region to be uploaded to the Genelec web-based calculation service, which will build a 3D model scaled to the dimensions of the head, ears and upper torso.
Acoustic fields are analysed and calculated numerically with a full-wave method to capture detailed acoustic phenomena.
The HRTFs are finally formed and the data is compiled into a downloadable SOFA file.