Virtual Notre-Dame: Preliminary results of real-time auralization with choir members

Heritage acoustics studies are typically constructed around a listener’s perspective, using prerecorded source material. The room acoustic response is generated via numerical simulation, such as via geometrical acoustics with proper model calibration. As part of a series of studies investigating the acoustics of heritage spaces and the impact of the acoustics on musical performance, a real-time auralization architecture has been developed and adapted to the requirements of recreating the acoustic conditions within the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris for a choir ensemble. This paper reviews the processing architecture of the system, expanding on previous Experimental Virtual Archaeological Acoustics (EVAA) developments, and an objective level calibration performed for reproduction via headphones and a 32-channel loudspeaker array. A preliminary subjective evaluation was carried out with members of a medieval choir, having experience in Notre-Dame, concerning qualities of the rendering and the calibration procedure. Following the evaluation by this user group, revisions have been made to the rendering architecture with the goal of providing a real-time performance simulator for a four-member ensemble using an anechoic room and individual binaural renderings over open headphones. Further evaluations will concern relevance of additional modifications of the rendering system to improve realism, perception of architectural and acoustic changes related to the historic records of the space, and the impacts of these on musical performances of different genres and periods through objective and subjective analysis of the performances using the real-time auralization rendering system.