A novel algorithm for generating spatial reverberation based on room acoustics and room shape complexity

A novel algorithm for generating spatial reverberation based on room acoustics and room shape complexity is proposed. The author has previously clarified the relationship between reflected sound density and mean free path, taking room shape complexity into account [Hanyu et al., Acoust. Sci. & Tech. 33(3), 197–199 (2012)]. Based on this, the algorithm statistically generates virtual sound source distributions that reflect the room’s shape complexity, absorption characteristics, and volume, using random sampling in 3-D orthogonal coordinates. The resulting distribution effectively captures the characteristics of 3-D reverberation within the room. This algorithm offers several advantages. First, the generated reverberation is inherently spatial, making it suitable for spatial audio applications. Second, it requires neither room modeling nor ray tracing, resulting in lightweight and high-speed computation. Third, spatial reverberation can be controlled parametrically using only a few variables, such as shape complexity, absorption, and volume. Finally, the virtual sound sources are format-independent and can be adapted to various reproduction systems, such as 5.1-channel, 7.1-channel, or binaural stereo. These features make the proposed algorithm a flexible and efficient solution for spatial reverberation synthesis across a wide range of applications.