Natural binaural reverberation is also important for convincing effect. Every person has an individual pattern of hearing cues that are created by their unique body shape, also these cues change as a listener moves. Our hearing system appears to be sensitive to inaccurate cues, it is common for binaural filters to create an unconvincing spatial impression as well as poor sound quality. Audio signals are filtered to introduce these cues and give the impression that a sound source is located outside of the head at a given location in space. Explore the role of sound in new interactive media (VR/AR)īinaural techniques simulate the hearing cues created by acoustic interaction between our bodies and the environment around us.Open standards that enable binaural broadcasting.Develop technology to deliver binaural sound to our audiences.Evaluate the user experience of binaural sound in broadcasting.Enable the BBC to create world-class binaural content.This can be applied to traditional programme content but also to new interactive content experiences including virtual and augmented reality. We are also working on 3D sound for loudspeakers, but binaural technology can bring that kind of experience to listeners' headphones.

But listening to stereo programmes over headphones can give a flat impression with sounds coming from inside the head.īinaural techniques can be used to create a richer sense of space in programme sound, giving a more exciting and immersive listening experience. Currently most audio we hear over headphones is in stereo, the same content that we play over loudspeakers. This is largely thanks to the arrival of powerful smart phones, fast mobile data networks, and streaming services such as the BBC iPlayer. Over the last decade there has been a large growth in the number of people listening to programmes over headphones. Towards the end of this project, we worked with the BBC Academy to ensure that our production teams are equipment with the knowledge and tools to create high quality binaural audio. Binaural has grown in popularity in recent years, particularly as mobile headphone listening has increased. The work was underpinned by study of the perceived quality of binaural technology, development of signal processing algorithms, and analysis of the workflows of our production staff. This allowed the BBC to produce a great deal of high quality binaural content. We spent several years developing tools for production and delivery of binaural sound, as well as evaluating industry technology. This can enhance programmes when listened to on headphones as well as create immersive interactive experiences including in virtual and augmented reality. Binaural sound technology allows the creation of immersive spatial audio experiences for headphone listeners.

Binaural sound clips