Category Archives: software

open source software

ambiX v0.3.0 – Ambisonic plug-in suite

Posted on by

I am happy to finally release my cross-platform Ambisonic processors useable as VST/LV2 plug-ins or standalone application under Windows, Mac OSX and Linux. They can be used in flexible hosts like Reaper, Ardour, MaxMSP, Bidule or as standalone applications with Jack.

The plug-ins can be used to produce 3D Ambisonic content or do post production on recordings. (eg. Soundfield or Eigenmike® microphone recordings)
The Ambisonic order is variable and can be choosen at compile time. A practical limitation for Reaper is 7th order due to the 64 channel limit. The processors use the ambiX convention (full 3D, ACN channel ordering, SN3D normalization)

ambiX screenshot ReaperA short video clip showing the plug-ins in action: https://vimeo.com/81073470

You may want to use these plug-ins in combination with the mcfx multichannel effect plug-in suite: https://www.matthiaskronlachner.com/?p=1910

Source code repository: https://github.com/kronihias/ambix

download

Download binaries from Github:

https://github.com/kronihias/ambix/releases

download

You will also need the binaural decoder presets if you want to listen with headphones:  ambix_binaural_presets_v0.1.5.zip
(download includes decoder matrices + binaural loudspeaker impulse responses)

Some more good presets from the BBC can be downloaded here: https://github.com/bbc/bbcrd-brirs

Install the decoder presets to:
Windows 7/8: C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\ambix\binaural_presets\
MacOS: ~/Library/ambix/binaural_presets/
Linux: ~/ambix/binaural_presets/

Currently there is no preset generator included, you have to generate your decoding matrix with other tools. For example with the Ambisonic Decoder Toolbox by Aaron Heller using Matlab/Octave: [Source repo] [LAC Article].

Read this article from the AES Design competition for some informations regarding the plug-ins!

A slightly outdated paper about the plug-ins can be found here: http://lac.linuxaudio.org/2013/papers/51.pdf

Ambisonic transformations are described here ICSA2014_KronlachnerZotter_AmbisonicTransformations.pdf

This software was developed during the work on my master thesis at the Institute of Electronic Music and Acoustic Graz. [ IEM ]

Continue reading →

mcfx v0.6.0 – multichannel audio plug-in suite

Posted on by

mcfx_meter32mcfx is a suite of multichannel VST plug-ins for MacOS, Windows and Linux
(mcfx_convolver, mcfx_delay, mcfx_filter, mcfx_gain_delay, mcfx_meter)

these plug-ins are very handy if you want to process multiple channels in one go for example
* multiple loudspeaker setups, Ambisonics (see ambiX)
* Microphone array post productions (eg. Eigenmike®)
….mcfx_filter_screenshot

currently high channel counts per track are only possible with the DAWs Reaper (Win, OSX) and Ardour (Linux, OSX)

– channel count is configurable with compile time flag
– cross plattform VST for MacOSX, Windows and Linux
– uses the JUCE framework (www.juce.com)
– ready to use binaries for MacOSX (≥ 10.7, 32/64 bit, Apple Silicon) and Windows (32/64 bit)mcfx_gain_delay_screenshot

Source code: https://github.com/kronihias/mcfx

VST Binaries: (2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 32, 36, 50, 64 channel version)

 

DOWNLOAD:

downloadDownload binaries from: https://github.com/kronihias/mcfx/releases

 

Additionally you can download some example first order B-format reverb presets for mcfx_convolver: mcfx_convolver_presets_v0.1.zip
Here is a help file explaining the .conf files.
Note that you have to use ambix_converter after the convolver and choose the preset .amb -> ambix in case you want to use those impulse responses in combination with ambix_decoder or ambix_binaural.

Continue reading →

Reaper libsndfile wrapper – allows to READ and WRITE more audio formats (eg. .paf, .mat, …)

Posted on by

reaper_libsndfilewrapperreaper_libsndfilewrapper adds import and export capabilites (reading/writing soundfiles) to the Digital Audio Workstation Reaper (www.reaper.fm) such as RF64 (eg. used by RME Digicheck, mh acoustics Eigenstudio®), .paf, .sf, .raw, …

Complete list of additionally supported file extensions: .au, .avr, .caf, .htk, .iff, .mat, .mpc, .oga, .paf, .pvf, .raw, .rf64, .sd2, .sds, .sf, .voc, .w64, .wve, .xi

Reaper Render using libsndfileBinaries download (easy to use installers)
downloadWindows 32 bit: reaper_libsndfilewrapper_win32
Windows 64 bit: reaper_libsndfilewrapper_win64
MacOSX (32/64 bit): reaper_libsndfilewrapper_osx

How-to:
Install the plugin and drag/drop former not-recognized audio files into the Reaper session.
In the Render dialog choose Output format: libsndfile and the wanted format. Be aware that not all formats support arbitrary channel counts!

Source code: https://github.com/kronihias/reaper_libsndfilewrapper

This software is licensed under the GNU LESSER GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE (LGPL) license.
It uses libsndfile by Erik de Castro Lopo which is licensed under LGPL
http://www.mega-nerd.com/libsndfile/

Continue reading →

Headtracking for Binaural Ambisonic Playback

Posted on by

Low-Budget headtracker mounted on headphonesHere is a short tutorial about an inexpensive headtracking solution which you can use to improve the binaural listening experience with the ambix Ambisonic tools. The calibration software is currently Windows only, but the Pd patch is naturally cross-platform.

It uses the headtracker described here by Dennis Frie: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1677559
Parts: arduino nano, GY-85 sensor board.

A Pure Data patch provided by me receives the serial data from the Arduino based headtracker and sends OSC messages to the host of your choice. In this case I will describe the use within the digital audio workstation Reaper.

downloadFor the impatient, here is the Pure Data patch (use with Pd-extended):
pd-patch-headtracker-osc-sender


1) First you have to get the Arduino and Sensor Board, some soldering and upload the firmware according to the instructions here.

Use the Axis Method for calibrationUse the provided Windows software to calibrate the tracker – for me the Axis Method works best. You might have to repeat the calibration from time to time.

2) Now you can use the Pd Patch I provide to communicate with the tracker. Use Pd-Extended to open it!
Download: pd-patch-headtracker-osc-sender
This patch will translate the serial data from the Arduino board to OSC messages.

reaper_control_surfaces3) Open up the Reaper preferences and add an OSC control surface. Important: Receive on port 8000 and Allow binding messages to REAPER actions and FX learn.

4) Add the ambix_rotator plug-in before ambix_binaural and use the OSC tracking data to control the parameters of ambix_rotator:
Click the Track Envelopes/Automation Button of thReaper Track Envelopes/Automatione Track with ambix_rotator to open up the Automation controls. Now click the Learn… Button next to the parameter Yaw.

Now you have to send a OSC message from the Pd patch to attach the correct message to Yaw, Pitch and Roll. Therefore don’t activate tracking yet (as it sends out all three messages Reaper OSC learn and Pd patchat once and thus does not allow to use the Learn functionality)
Instead click the buttons below OSC_LEARN in the Pd-patch to trigger single OSC messages.

5) You may have to change the serial port in Pd. First click the button list_dev to get a list of you serial devices. Enter the serial port id in the number box open_port.
Now you can activate head tracking and enjoy a stable binaural surround image. Use reset_orientation to define your zero degree direction.

ambdec-0.5.1, tetraproc-0.8.2, AMB-plugins-0.8.1 for Mac OS X

Posted on by
4

(C) Fons AdriaensenI compiled the latest versions of Fons Adriaensens’ Ambisonics Decoder ambdec-0.5.1 (PDF manual) and his Microphone-Processor to convert TetraMic recordings to B-Format tetraproc-0.8.2 (PDF paper) for Mac OS X.

I packed them in easy-to-use installer packages which should run under Mac OS X >=10.6 (Snow Leopard, Lion, Mountain Lion):

Note about ambdec: The manual is outdated! The configuration window is gone. Use a Texteditor to edit .ambdec files!

ambdec-0.5.1-installer.pkg (C) Fons Adriaensen
tetraproc-0.8.2-installer.pkg

Make sure you have JackOSX (http://www.jackosx.com) and X11 (http://xquartz.macosforge.org) installed.

Troubleshooting: Sometimes the installer does not set the file permissions for graphic files correct, try to check if the folder /usr/local/share/ambdec is read/writeable for the user. You can start ambdec from Terminal and check for error messages (just type ambdec in Terminal and hit Return).

Additionally I compiled and packed the LADSPA Ambisonics Plug-In Set (AMB-plugins-0.8.1) for 32/64 bit on Mac running in Ardour under Mac OS XOS X >= 10.6 to use within Ardour.

AMB-plugins-0.8.1-LADSPA-osx.zip

Homepage of the Software Author Fons Adriaensen and his (mostly Linux) tools:
http://kokkinizita.linuxaudio.org

jconvolver 0.9.2 and zita-rev-0.2.1 for Mac OS X

Posted on by
Reply

As addition to the Ambisonics Decoder, Microphone Processor and LADSPA Plug-Ins I compiled and packed the convolution software jconvolver 0.9.2 as easy-to-use installer for Mac OS X >=10.6.

This Jack client is a very flexible real-time convolution engine, including configurations for applying Multichannel Ambisonics reverb.

jconvolver-0.9.2-installer.pkg

You can find some additional Ambisonic reverb impulse responses here:
http://www.openairlib.net
http://people.bath.ac.uk/masrwd/sspaces/sciencespaces.html
http://space-net.org.uk

(C) Fons AdriaensenThe Jack Reverb Plug-In with Ambisonics mode zita-rev-1-0.2.1 is available here:

zita-rev1-0.2.1-installer.pkg

All developements by Fons Adriaensen:
http://kokkinizita.linuxaudio.org

Get more information about Ambisonics and Ardour in an article by Jörn Nettingsmeier.
Continue reading →