The unique communication acoustics simulator at The Haus des Hörens in Oldenburg makes it possible to change the room acoustics at the touch of a button. Audiences at the concerts held there
can thus enjoy acoustic refinements that can otherwise only be experienced in philharmonic halls, opera houses and churches. Thanks to artificial head stereophony, the experience can now be followed anywhere in the world via internet transmission.
The communication acoustics simulator in Oldenburg
, which is otherwise used for research purposes, enables acoustic illusions of every conceivable room - from the bathroom to the cafeteria to the large concert hall. "The effect is created by the fact that acoustic parameters such as reverberation and perceived room size can be varied over a wide range. Sounds generated in the room, such as music, are picked up by numerous microphones in the ceiling. In the control centre of the communication acoustics simulator, the acoustic signals are specifically altered and played back into the room via loudspeakers in the ceilings and walls," says Prof. Dr. Dr. Birger Kollmeier, Scientific Director of the HörTech Center of Competence, explaining the highly complex technology of the fascinating room. This room, which is unique in Germany, is normally used for scientific studies. For example, the usability of new hearing aids and mobile phones is examined in extremely different acoustic situations. But once a month, the research room opens its doors to the public and offers music fans a special sound experience. So far, the concert dates organised by the Friends of The Haus des Hörens have mainly been attended by residents in north-west Germany. But the next concert can be experienced from anywhere in the world.
Thanks to so-called artificial head stereophony, listeners at home can experience the concert with headphones just like the audience in Oldenburg. "There will be an artificial listener sitting in the audience area who will make his ears available to the internet users on behalf of the audience. The arrangement of the microphones creates a realistic impression," says Kollmeier, explaining the special features of this recording technique. The respective music event can be listened to free of charge via headphones on the hausdeshoerens-oldenburg.de/ website.