A Standard for Interchange of Ambisonic Signal Sets

1st Ambisonics Symposium, 25-27 Juli, Graz, 2009

A Standard for Interchange of Ambisonic Signal Sets

Over the past few years there has been growing awareness of the need for an agreed format for ambisonic files and for the interchange of other ambisonic signal sets. Here we propose a standard that is both simple and intended to be future proof. The proposal is the outcome of many months of discussion, on the Web and by email, and of physical meetings: Parma (April 2009 at LAC2009, courtesy of Fons Adriaensen) and Graz (June 2009 at the IEM Ambisonics Symposium, courtesy of Professor Ritsch and colleagues) where this final draft is due to be agreed. The proposal is for N3D normalisation, Ambisonic Channel Number sequence and the use of a UUID chunk in the Apple Core Audio Format (.caf) for metadata about included channels. The file format may also be used for non—B-format material (A–, C–, etc. format), for position files, etc. The metadata is extensible to allow for future possible uses.