When compressing an HOA data frame representation, a gain control (15, 151) is applied for each channel signal before it is perceptually encoded (16). The gain values are transferred in a differential manner as side information. However, for starting decoding of such streamed compressed HOA data frame representation absolute gain values are required, which should be coded with a minimum number of bits. For determining such lowest integer number (β.sub.e) of bits the HOA data frame representation (C(k)) is rendered in spatial domain to virtual loudspeaker signals lying on a unit sphere, followed by normalisation of the HOA data frame representation (C(k)). Then the lowest integer number of bits is set to

β.sub.e=┌log.sub.2(┌log.sub.2(√{square root over (K.sub.MAX)}.Math.O)┐+1)┐.

When compressing an HOA data frame representation, a gain control (15, 151) is applied for each channel signal before it is perceptually encoded (16). The gain values are transferred in a differential manner as side information. However, for starting decoding of such streamed compressed HOA data frame representation absolute gain values are required, which should be coded with a minimum number of bits. For determining such lowest integer number (β.sub.e) of bits the HOA data frame representation (C(k)) is rendered in spatial domain to virtual loudspeaker signals lying on a unit sphere, followed by normalisation of the HOA data frame representation (C(k)). Then the lowest integer number of bits is set to

β.sub.e=┌log.sub.2(┌log.sub.2(√{square root over (K.sub.MAX)}.Math.O)┐+1)┐.

An audio encoding device and an audio decoding device are described herein. The audio encoding device may examine a set of audio channels/channel groups representing a piece of sound program content and produce a set of ducking values to associate with one of the channels/channel groups. During playback of the piece of sound program content, the ducking values may be applied to all other channels/channel groups. Application of these ducking values may cause (1) the reduction in dynamic range of ducked channels/channel groups and/or (2) movement of channels/channel groups in the sound field. This ducking may improve intelligibility of audio in the non-ducked channel/channel group. For instance, a narration channel/channel group may be more clearly heard by listeners through the use of selective ducking of other channels/channel groups during playback.

An audio encoding device and an audio decoding device are described herein. The audio encoding device may examine a set of audio channels/channel groups representing a piece of sound program content and produce a set of ducking values to associate with one of the channels/channel groups. During playback of the piece of sound program content, the ducking values may be applied to all other channels/channel groups. Application of these ducking values may cause (1) the reduction in dynamic range of ducked channels/channel groups and/or (2) movement of channels/channel groups in the sound field. This ducking may improve intelligibility of audio in the non-ducked channel/channel group. For instance, a narration channel/channel group may be more clearly heard by listeners through the use of selective ducking of other channels/channel groups during playback.

A method and corresponding system for correcting for deviations in a performance that includes a plurality of audio sources, the method comprising detecting a parameter relating to an audio source, determining if the parameter deviates from a predetermined characteristic and in response to it being determined that the parameter deviates from the predetermined characteristic, causing display of a user interface configured to control the parameter, to allow a user to correct the deviation.

A method and corresponding system for correcting for deviations in a performance that includes a plurality of audio sources, the method comprising detecting a parameter relating to an audio source, determining if the parameter deviates from a predetermined characteristic and in response to it being determined that the parameter deviates from the predetermined characteristic, causing display of a user interface configured to control the parameter, to allow a user to correct the deviation.

An encoding method for a multi-channel audio signal, an encoding apparatus for performing the encoding method, and a decoding method for a multi-channel audio signal and a decoding apparatus for performing the decoding method are disclosed. A method and apparatus of bypassing an MPEG Surround (MPS) standard operation and using an arbitrary tree when a number of audio signals of N channels exceeds a channel number defined in an MPS standard, is disclosed.

An encoding method for a multi-channel audio signal, an encoding apparatus for performing the encoding method, and a decoding method for a multi-channel audio signal and a decoding apparatus for performing the decoding method are disclosed. A method and apparatus of bypassing an MPEG Surround (MPS) standard operation and using an arbitrary tree when a number of audio signals of N channels exceeds a channel number defined in an MPS standard, is disclosed.

It is attempted to reduce the processing load of a receiver at the time of integrating plural audio streams.

A predetermined number of audio streams are generated, and a container of a predetermined format including these predetermined number of audio streams is transmitted. The audio streams are constituted by an audio frame including a first packet that includes encoded data as payload information and a second packet that includes configuration information representing a configuration of the payload information of this first packet as payload information. Common index information is inserted in payloads of related first packet and second packet.

It is attempted to reduce the processing load of a receiver at the time of integrating plural audio streams.

A predetermined number of audio streams are generated, and a container of a predetermined format including these predetermined number of audio streams is transmitted. The audio streams are constituted by an audio frame including a first packet that includes encoded data as payload information and a second packet that includes configuration information representing a configuration of the payload information of this first packet as payload information. Common index information is inserted in payloads of related first packet and second packet.