Capturing and reproduction of a crowded sound scene using a circular microphone array

Over the years, different spatial audio techniques have been proposed as the means to capture, encode and reproduce the spatial properties of acoustic fields, yet specific issues need to be modified each time in accordance to the type of microphone array used as well as with the technology used for reproduction. Using a circular array of omnidirectional microphones, we formulate in this paper a parametric and a non-parametric approach for capturing and reproduction of the crowded acoustic environment of a football stadium. A listening test performed reveals the advantages and disadvantages of each approach in connection to the particularities of the acoustic environment.