Processing audio input signals

1. A method comprising processing an audio input signal represented as digital samples to produce a stereo output signal having a left field and a right field, said stereo output signal emulating the production of said audio input signal from a virtual audio source location relative to a listening location said listening location having a left listening position and right listening position corresponding to the left and right ears of a typical listener, using audio processing apparatus having a processing device, a first input device, a second input device and an output device, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving by said first input device said audio input signal:

receiving by said second input device an indication of a virtual audio source location relative to a listening location (an indicated location),

receiving by said second input device an indication of distance between said left listening position and said right listening position,

determining by said processing device said left and right listening positions based on said listening location and said indication of distance:

determining by said processing device a first direction from said indicated location to said left listening position and a second direction from said indicated location to said right listening position;

selecting by said processing device a left field broadband response file (a selected left field response file) from a plurality of stored files derived from empirical testing, said selected left field response file describing the impulse response of a left ear to a sound emitted from said first direction;

selecting by said processing device a right field broadband response file (a selected right field response file) from a plurality of stored files derived from empirical testing, said selected right field response file describing the impulse response of a right ear to a sound emitted from said second direction:

convolving by said processing device said audio input signal with said selected left field response file to produce the left field of said stereo signal output signal,

convolving by said processing device said audio input signal with said selected right field response file to produce the right field of said stereo output signal, and

supplying said stereo output signal to said output device.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said audio input signal is a live signal, a recorded signal or a synthesised signal.

3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the indicated location is manually indicated or indicated in response to operations performed within a computer game.

4. A method according to claim 1 , further including the step of receiving an indication of the speed of sound.

5. A method according to claim 4 , further including the step of calculating an output signal intensity.

6. A method according to claim 4 , further including the step of calculating an output signal attenuation.

7. A method according to claim 6 , further including the step of calculating an output signal delay.

8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein a broadband response file is stored for at least 770 test positions for each of a first ear and a second ear of a human subject.

9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of broadband response files is stored for each of a plurality of test positions selected during said empirical testing, each of the plurality of broadband response files for a test position relating to a different subject material or environment,

said method further includes the step of receiving an indication of a material or environment, and

said steps of selecting a broadband response file involve scanning the filenames of the plurality of broadband response files stored for a test position.

10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein a Fast Fourier Transform convolution process is performed at each said stop of convolving.

11. Apparatus for processing an audio input signal represented as digital samples to produce a stereo output signal having a left field and a right field, said stereo output signal emulating the production of said audio input signal from a virtual audio source location relative to a listening location said listening location having a left listening position and a right listening position corresponding to the left and right ears of a typical listener comprising:

a first input device for receiving said audio input signal;

a second input device for receiving an indication of a virtual audio source location relative to a listening location (an indicated location) and an indication of distance between said left listening position and said right listening position: and

a processing device configured to:

determine said left and right listening positions, based on said listening location and said indication of distance;

determine a first direction from said indicated location to said left listening position and a second direction from said indicated location to said right listening position:

select a left field broadband response file (a selected left field response file) from a plurality of stored files derived from empirical testing, said selected left field response file describing the impulse response of a left ear to a sound emitted from said first direction:

select a right field broadband response file (a selected right field response file) from a plurality of stored files derived from empirical testing, said selected right field response file describing the impulse response of a right ear to a sound emitted from said second direction:

convolve said audio input signal with said selected left field response file to produce the left field of said stereo output signal:

convolve said audio input signal with said selected right field response file to produce the right field of said stereo output signal and

supply said stereo output signal lo an output device.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said audio input signal is a live signal, a recorded signal or a synthesised signal.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the indicated location is manually indicated or indicated in response to operations performed within a computer game.

14. Apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein a Fast Fourier Transform convolution process is performed at each said step of convolving.

15. Apparatus comprising a non-transitory computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions executable by a computer such that, when executing said instructions, a computer will perform a method comprising processing an audio input signal represented as digital samples to produce a stereo output signal having a left field and a right field, said stereo output signal emulating the production of said audio input signal from a virtual audio source location relative to a listening location, said listening location having a left listening position and a right listening position corresponding to the left and right ears of a typical listener, using an audio processing apparatus having a processing device, a first input device, a second input device and an output device, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving said audio input signal;

receiving an indication of a virtual audio source location relative to a listening source location (an indicated location) and an indication of distance between said left listening position and said right listening position;

determining by said processing device said left and right listening positions, based on said listening location and said indication of distance;

determining by said processing device a first direction from said indicated location to said left listening position and a second direction from said indicated location to said right listening position;

selecting by said processing device a left field broadband response file (a selected left field response file) form a plurality of stored files derived from empirical testing, said selected left field response file describing the impulse response of a left ear to a sound emitted from said first direction;

selecting by said processing device a right field broadband response file (a selected right field response file) form a plurality of stored files derived from empirical testing, said selected right field response file describing the impulse response of a le right t ear to a sound emitted from said second direction;

convolving said audio input signal with said selected left field response file to produce the left field of said stereo output signal;

convolving said audio input signal with said selected right field response file to produce the right field of said stereo output signal; and

supplying said stereo output to an output device.

16. A computer-readable medium according to claim 15 , wherein said audio input signal is a live signal, a recorded signal or a synthesised signal.

17. A computer-readable medium according to claim 15 , wherein the indicated location is manually indicated or indicated in response to operations performed within a computer game.