Acoustics of virtually coupled performance spaces

Abstract

Many different musical applications, including remote sonification, sound installation, augmented reality, and distributed/ telematic music performance, make use of high speed Internet connections between different performance spaces. Most of the technical literature on this subject focuses on system latency, but there are also significant contributions from the acoustics of all rooms connected: specifically, smaller auxiliary rooms will tend to introduce spectral coloration, and the “main” larger volume will send more reverberation to the off-site performers. Measurements taken in two linked networked sites used in telematic performance show that both of these issues are present. Some improvements are suggested, including physical room alterations and equalization methods using signal processing.