AES Europe 2025

This paper describes ongoing research on integrating algorithmic reverberation tools designed for audio post-production into virtual acoustics, focusing on using Impulse Responses (IRs) captured from the legendary Lexicon 960L hardware reverberation unit. While previous research from the McGill University Virtual Acoustics Technology (VAT) Lab has utilized room impulse responses (RIRs) captured from various performance halls to create active acoustic environments in the recording studio, this study analyzes the perceived differences between the two listening environments and the effect of the VATLab speakers and effect of room acoustics on IRs captured from 5.0 multichannel reverb presets. Three of these multichannel IRs have been chosen to simulate a Lexicon 960L “environment” in a physical space.

Objective measurements in McGill University’s Immersive Media Laboratory (IMLAB) Control Room and in VATLab following the ISO 3382 standard measure the effect of the physical room and the omnidirectional dodecahedral speakers used for auralization. Through a subjective pilot study, subjective analysis investigates the perceived differences between the Lexicon IRs in VATLab and a control condition, the IMLAB control room. The results of an attribute rating test on perceived immersion, soundfield continuity, tone color, and overall listening experience between the two spaces helps us better understand how reverberation algorithms designed for multichannel mixing/post-production translate to a virtual acoustics system.
In conclusion, we discuss the perceptual differences between the IMLAB Control Room and VATLab and results of objective measurements.