Rai Sato and Minjae Kim, students of AIRIS lab, visited an outdoor theater of Opera at KISWIRE CENTER 야외공연장. (the detail of this concert: http://www.f1963.org/en/?c=art&s=2&syear=2023&gp=1&gbn=viewok&ix=359)
The Korean sound company SOUNDKOREAENG and Yamaha of Japan teamed up for this immersive-experience opera performance, which made extensive use of state-of-the-art spatial sound technology.
This outdoor concert hall had a large number of speakers surrounding its auditorium.
These loudspeakers were used for Yamaha’s immersive sound system, AFC Image (https://usa.yamaha.com/products/proaudio/afc/afc_image.html).
AFC Image is an object-based sound image control system that enables proper sound image localization and image motion even with different loudspeaker positions and venue shapes.
This time, by using motion tracker sensors with AFC Image, the movement of the performers in the opera was automatically detected, and the sound image was localized as if the sound was actually coming from the performer’s position.
In addition, the 3D reverb system installed in the AFC Image added reverberation to the singers, chorus, and orchestra performing in the opera, creating a very natural and rich sound field, making it almost unbelievable that the opera was being performed outdoors.
Furthermore, sound effects used in the opera have been produced to be heard from various locations surrounding the audience, allowing the audience to enjoy this opera in a state-of-the-art acoustic experience that combines rich sound field expression and highly immersive acoustic technology.