WO2011061361A2

WO2011061361A2 - Multi-microphone sound production system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2011061361A2
Application number: PCT/ES2010/000466
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio Jesús BENÍTEZ IGLESIAS; Manuel SÁNCHEZ CID; Antonio Gustavo ASUAR GARCÍA
Original assignee: Universidad Carlos Iii De Madrid
Priority date: 2009-11-18
Filing date: 2010-11-18
Publication date: 2011-05-26
Also published as: ES2359902B1; WO2011061361A3; ES2359902A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and method for multi-microphone sound production, comprising the monitoring of one or more points of interest on a stage. A sound mixing table (210) mixes input signals (2100) originating from a plurality of microphones distributed across the stage and generates one or more output signals (2110). The mixing table can vary the intensity of each input signal. A processor (230) determines the intensity of each input signal as a function of the position of at least one point of interest on the stage and produces a control signal (2310) which specifies the intensity levels to the mixing table. The mixing table varies the intensities as a function of the control signal.

Description

SOUND PRODUCTION SYSTEM AND PROCEDURE

MULTIMICROPHONE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical field

The invention described belongs to the multimicrophonic sound production systems and procedures sector, in particular for audiovisual productions.

Description of the related technique

Today the audiovisual productions that are carried out have extensive sound needs. Generally, due to the large number of sound sources, multimicrophonic pickup systems are used scattered around the stage where the action is generated, for example, in a sports field, in studio or any other scenic space. In addition to the pick-up elements (microphones), mixing tables are used to generate the output signal that the viewer or radio listener will receive. Mixing tables are based on input channels and output channels or shipments. The input channels receive the sound signals generated by the different sound sources. The output channels provide the possibility of sending the different input signals, both for mixing and independent assignments, which can be mono, stereo or surround sound. These shipments include those that the viewer and radio listener receive in their reception system. In audiovisual productions it is common to capture the ambient sound and the sound produced by the different elements that participate in the staging.

Consider, for example, a football match. In this type of scenarios, microphones of different characteristics are usually used around the field with the aim of capturing the sound of the public and that of the main protagonists of the sports action and other elements of interest. The main actors, footballers in this case, move across the pitch based on a mobile: the ball. The sound technician, in this example, usually tracks the movement of the different points of interest (mainly the ball), throughout the length of the field, resulting in increases or decreases in the signal of the channel or channels corresponding to the microphones installed and involved in the action. The total or partial sum of the different input channels is assigned to the different shipments or outputs, mainly the mix or program outputs, although you can also act on the other outputs or shipments, for example on what is sent to the speakers of the realization control or what is sent to the narrators' helmets.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a system that facilitates the sound technician the processes of capturing and mixing the different sound generating sources existing in the scenario of the action and helping him to define the operational approach of each of The different situations.

For this, according to one aspect of the invention, a system according to independent claim 1 and a method according to independent claim 1 is provided. The dependent claims include particular embodiments of the invention.

According to the principles of the invention, said system comprises means for processing and mixing input signals from a plurality of microphones spread across a stage, while enabling different output signals. The means for mixing, which can be implemented by means of a mixer or remote control of facfers / attenuators are adapted to manage the intensity of each of the input signals. The system allows to determine the gain of each of the input signals depending on the position of one or several points of interest within the scenario, thus enabling control values that specify the intensity variables for the mix. Said means can be implemented to determine the intensities of the input and output signals by means of a processor loaded with a suitable computer program. The mixing means are adapted to vary the intensities depending on the control signal.

Therefore, according to the invention, the position of the point or points of interest and its sound level within the sound scenario according to established parameters that automatically manage the intensity levels of the input and output channels in the mixing process.

One of the advantages of the invention is that it is not necessary to detach the material on which it has already been inverted, such as the mixer, thus allowing a technological and operational linkage.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the system comprises a graphical interface that allows the user the possibility of providing or modifying the position of the point of interest on the stage. The user interface is adapted to generate position data of the point of interest and provide such data to the means to determine the intensity. Preferably, the user interface is a touch screen.

This allows the sound technician to track the mobile or specify the trajectories that the system should cover, so that it becomes a task with dynamics analogous to the movement of the game in the real scene, allowing the system to determine which channels are involved and the amount of signal strength applicable per channel corresponding to the position parameters. The technician can provide the position of the main mobile simply by touching the touch screen in the position where the mobile is currently located or any other point of interest. Even several points at the same time. Preferably, to facilitate said task the touch screen shows the user a template that reproduces the scenario.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the system comprises means for automatically tracking the point of interest on the stage, generating position data of the points of interest and providing said data to the means for determining the signal strength. In this way, the sound technician can be freed from the operation, his intervention not being necessary in a continuous way in the determination of the intensities of the input and output channels unless he considers it appropriate. Automatic tracking of the point or points of interest can be carried out using known techniques, such as "visual tracking" or by means of positioning circuits integrated in the body or moving bodies, for example, in the ball or others, in the case of a soccer game.

According to another embodiment, the system comprises a database that collect the configuration and design of the multi-microphone position on stage with detail of location, direction and direction and model of each microphone or, at least, sensitivity and polar diagram.

The configuration can be predefined by the system manufacturer. However, preferably the system comprises a user interface that allows the sound technician to provide the configuration.

According to another additional embodiment, the mixing means are adapted for sending or sending the generated signal to different output channels, which can be of the mono, stereo or multichannel type surround. The means for determining the intensity of the input signal or signals are adapted to specify to which or which of the output channels or sends the output signal should be assigned based on the position of the point of interest and / or the parameters. specified by the operator according to the type of mix chosen (mono, stereo or surround). For example, for a type of surround mix, let us establish a case with a moving main point of interest that moves along the stage plus other secondary points of interest, in this case it will be possible to provide a multiple output sound signal of the spatial type that is spatially similar to what happened on the stage, that is, to offer a mobile signal and other spatially correlative watertight outputs at the points where the sound signal is generated on the stage. The means for determining the intensity provide a control signal that specifies said channel or said channels to the means for mixing. The mixing means are adapted to provide the output signal to the specified channel or output channels.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of producing a multi-microphone sound signal comprising the following steps:

- mixing input signals from a plurality of microphones spread across a scenario, in which the intensity of each of the input signals can be variable, thus generating one or more output signals.

characterized in that it comprises the additional steps of:

- determine the intensity of each of the input signals

depending on the position of one several points of interest within the scenario and - vary the intensity of the signals integrating the mixture accordingly.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and will be clarified with reference to the embodiments described later herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment, which is made by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a scenario in which the present invention can be used with microphones and their areas of influence.

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the invention.

In all figures, similar reference numbers refer to similar elements. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows a soccer field 100 as an example of a scenario in which the system of the present invention can be used. As usual, there are numerous microphones located around the field, which can be of different types, for example very directional with a narrow or little directional influence zone, with a wide influence zone. Only some microphones 110, 120, 130 with their influence zones 110 ', 120' 130 'are shown in the figure.

In the current sound production systems the sound operator follows the game and mainly the position of the ball 150 and translates this game situation with increases in intensity in the channels corresponding to the microphones it has installed. For example, if the ball is in the position shown in Figure 1, the operator will tend to raise the intensity (gain) of microphone 130 with an area of influence 130 'that coincides with this area. It can also somewhat mitigate the gains of the microphones that are far from this area. In practice it can happen that the manual operation is "delayed" with respect to the execution of the game, a direct consequence of the process of readjustment of the different parameters that influence the intensity of the different signals that are part of the action according to the emerging modifications. So that this delay is not very noticeable, the technician is usually conservative with the adaptation of intensities, which translates into a reduction of the efficiency in the capture and therefore in the output mixture.

In Figure 2, a block diagram of a system 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The system comprises means for mixing 210 to mix input signals from the microphones 1 10, 120, 130 distributed on stage 100 and present in a plurality of input channels 2100. The means for mixing can be implemented by means of a mixing console Sound compatible The mixer generates an output signal that is provided to one or more output channels 21 10. The output channels can be mono, stereo or surround. The mixer must be of the "remoteable" type, allowing to establish communication through common language, for example with a MIDI type delivery that allows the linear potentiometers of their channels to be varied "at a distance" and therefore their intensities.

The system 200 further comprises a graphical user interface 220. This interface allows the operator to draw paths on a template that has been previously designed and represents scenario 100, along with other configurable options. In this way, the operator can follow the movement of the point of interest, for example the ball, across the stage. Preferably, the user interface is a touch screen and the operator can provide the position of the point of interest by touching the corresponding area in the template. However, the user interface can also be of another type, for example allowing the operator to use a mouse that moves a cursor to provide the position. The user interface 220 generates position data 2200 of the point or points of interest and provides it to a processor 230.

Said processor 230 has the function of determining the intensity of each of the input signals based on the data of position 2200 of the point or points of interest within the scenario. The processor provides a control signal 2310, which specifies the intensity levels at MIDI delivery of the mixer 210. The mixer varies the intensities depending on the control signal.

There are different possibilities to implement the algorithm that decides, what channels it opens and at what percentages it attenuates or enhances. In principle it can be a mere graphic response: if the position provided by the operator is inside an area of influence or passes a certain distance from a microphone, it acts on the closest channels keeping them open in proportion to the distance where they are more sensitive the near ones and maintaining a percentage of reference the distant ones. You can also combine mobile interest signals with fixed or waterproof signals.

To determine the gain of the input signals, the processor accesses through a connection 2400 to a database 240 that collects the configuration of the multi-microphone assembly, with detail of address, direction and microphone model or, at least, sensitivity and polar diagram The configuration contained in database 240 may be preconfigured, but it is preferable for the user to define the configuration according to his needs. For this purpose, the system may have a user interface that represents the scenographic plant to be covered and that allows the user to provide the configuration, for example by dragging icons. The configurations thus obtained are storable and reusable, because the planning and provision of mobile systems or units for the production of sound events such as football tend to remain constant.

The processor also determines to which or which of the output channels the output signal or signals should be provided based on the position of the point or points of interest plus secondary points. The processor provides a control signal, which specifies said channel or said channels to the mixer. The mixer provides the output signal to the specified channel or output channels.

The processor 230 has the additional function of graphical simulation of the position of the point of interest provided by the user. It provides a signal with the translation of the position to graphic 2300 to the user interface 210. In this way, the operator receives a feedback of his actions on the screen 220. Also, the graphic simulation can give an indication of the microphones that are being used and their spectral levels of capture, for example, showing the microphones in the template with different colors for different levels of collection or intensifying - for example - the color where the signals are enhanced and reducing the intensity of color where It is going to dim.

The system shown in Figure 2 works as follows. The operator provides the position of a point of interest to the system, for example the ball, by touching the template shown on the touch screen 220. For example, if the ball 150 is in area 140, the operator touches the template in that area . The touch screen 220 provides the data of the position in which the operator has touched the processor 230. The processor uses the configuration data in the database 240 to determine which of the channels the mixer has to use and with what intensity to generate the output signal. It also determines to which or which of the output channels the output signal must be provided.

For example, in the situation shown in Figure 1, the balloon 150 is near the microphone 130. In this case, the processor determines that the intensity of the signal from the microphone 130 must be enhanced, because its area of influence 130 'coincides with the area where the ball 150 is located.

It is not always enough to only raise the gains of the microphone or the microphones that are close to the ball. For example, in the taking of a corner the first point of interest, the ball 150, is in zone 160 but also the small area in front of the goal can be considered a point of interest, because it is interesting to listen to the instructions of the goalkeeper to their defenses and the cries of protest from the strikers to the referee because the defenders grab them, etc. In such a case, not only the gain of the microphone 110, near the corner but also the gain of the microphone 120 behind the goal should be raised. The processor could use an algorithm that translates the "corner" position to a rise in the gains and channel intensity of both the microphone near the corner 110 and the microphone 130 behind the goal. Another possibility is that the operator touches two points on the template on the screen in this case: the first point, the corner, translates into a rise in the intensity of the microphone 110 and the second point, the small area in front of the goal is it translates to a rise in the signal strength of the microphone 120. Then in this case the processor 210 determines the intensity of each of the input signals based on the positions of various points of interest. According to an alternative embodiment, the user interface 220 is replaced by means for automatic tracking of the point of interest by the stage, for example, by visual tracking or by a positioning circuit. Said means generate position data of the point of interest and provide said data to the processor 210.

Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and in the foregoing description, such illustrations and descriptions are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; The invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed.

For example, although the invention is particularly useful for audiovisual productions of sport, for example football, basketball or tennis, it can also be applied to other shows such as concerts or television programs, considering presenters' mobility similar to 5 actors instead of the ball.

Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and carried out by those skilled in the art when practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the description and the appended claims. In the claims, the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or stages, and the indefinite article "a" or "a" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit can fulfill the functions of several elements cited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are cited in dependent claims different from each other does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used more advantageously. A computer program may be stored / distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optimal storage medium or a solid state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other ways, such as through the Internet and other wired or wireless telecommunication systems. Any reference sign in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. Multimicrophonic sound production system (200) comprising:

- means (210) for mixing input signals (2100) from a plurality of microphones (1 10,120,130) spread across a stage

(100), thus generating at least one output signal (21 10), in which the means for mixing are adapted to vary the intensity of each of the input signals, characterized in that it comprises:

- means (230) for determining the intensity of each of the input signals as a function of the position (140) of at least one point of interest

(150) within the scenario and provide a control signal (2310), which specifies the intensities to the means for mixing and in which the means for mixing are adapted to vary the intensities depending on the control signal.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a graphical user interface (220) that allows the user to provide the position of the point of interest on the stage and in which the user interface is adapted to generate position data ( 2200) of the point of interest and provide such data to the means to determine the intensity.

3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that the user interface is a touch screen.

The system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means for the automatic monitoring of the point of interest by the scenario that are adapted to generate position data of the point of interest and provide said data to the means for determining the intensity.

5. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that the means for automatic tracking are adapted for monitoring by visual tracking.

6. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that the means for automatic tracking are formed by a positioning circuit.

7. The system according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a database (240) that collects the configuration of the multi-microphone assembly on the stage.

8. The system according to claim 7 characterized in that it comprises a User interface that allows the user to provide the configuration.

The system according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the means for determining the intensity are adapted to determine the intensity of each of the input signals according to the positions of several points of interest.

10. The system according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the means for mixing comprises several output channels and in which the means for determining the intensity are adapted to determine to which or which of the output channels the signal must be provided. output depending on the position of the point of interest and providing a control signal, which specifies said channel or said channels, to the means for mixing and in which the means for mixing are adapted to provide the output signal to said channel or said output channels including adaptations intended to create a sound space in the home of the viewer.

11. A method of producing a multi-microphone sound signal comprising the step of:

- mixing input signals (2100) from a plurality of microphones (110,120,130) spread across a stage (100), thus generating at least one output signal (2110), in which the intensity of each of the input signals is variable, characterized in that it comprises the additional steps of:

- determine the intensity of each of the input signals based on the position (140) of a point of interest (150) within the scenario and vary the intensities accordingly.