Five-Channel Panning Laws:

An Analytical and Experimental Comparison

by James R. West

A Research Project

Submitted to the Faculty of the University of Miami
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
of Master of Science in Music Engineering Technology

Coral Gables, Florida
Spring 1998


This thesis was a little over 150 single-sided pages when printed. Even though each chapter below is on its own web page, some still take a while to download because of lots of embedded graphics. Note that Chapter 4: Listening Tests is divided into two web pages, so be sure not to skip the second one. Please direct any questions/comments to jwest@digidesign.com. Enjoy.

Acknowledgments

Abstract

Table of Figures

Table of Tables

Chapter 1: Introduction

Summary
Problem Definition

Context
Concepts

Rationale
Scope
Overview of Contents

Chapter 2: Spatial Hearing

Background Concepts

Physics
Sensation
Perception
Psychophysical Magnitude: Psychophysical or Perceptual Measurement?
The Auditory Event
Coordinate System

Human Localization Performance
Spatial Hearing Theory

Evolutionary Views on Hearing
Early Theories
HRTF Theories
Motional Theories
Interaural Envelope Time Shift Theories
Spatial Cues to Auditory Stream Segregation
Room-Related Effects on Localization

Chapter 3: IID-based Panning Methods

Rationale for IID-based Panning
Criteria for Evaluating Pan pots
Panning Laws

Constant Gain Optimization
Constant Power Optimization
Velocity and Energy Vector Optimization
Azimuthal Harmonic Optimization

Final Comments

Chapter 4: Listening Tests

Development

Purpose
Scope and Limitations
Experiment Outline
Signal Selection and Presentation
Experimental Set-up
Expectations

Analysis

Observations
Analysis Methods
Results
Interpretations

Chapter 5: Implementation

DirectX Audio Plug-In Concepts
Implementation Constraints
Specification of Features
Object-Oriented Design
Using the Pan pot Plug-in

Chapter 6: Conclusions

Summary
Interpretation
Recommendations

Listening Test Design Changes
Panning Algorithm Development
Implementation Improvements

Final Thoughts

Appendix A: Intensity and Loudness Measures of Sound

References

 

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Jim West, University of Miami, Copyright 1998