THE AURA

What is WFS?

Wavefield Synthesis is a spatial audio rendering technique that creates realistic, immersive sound fields by simulating the physical propagation of sound waves. Based on the Huygens principle, WFS uses an array of loudspeakers to reproduce the wavefronts of virtual sound sources, allowing listeners to perceive sound as originating from specific locations in space—even outside the loudspeaker array. Unlike traditional stereo or surround formats, WFS maintains spatial accuracy over a large listening area, enabling consistent localization and a more natural sonic experience.

THE AURA HISTORY

Jesse Allison, Stephen Beck, and Kerem Ergener applied for a grant from the Louisiana Regents Board to develop a Wavefield Synthesis (WFS) system and a Dolby Atmos-compatible 21.1.2 immersive audio studio at LSU. Kerem and Jesse developed a 192-channel WFS spanning 24 meters (79 feet). They wanted the speakers to be sculptural and architectural. That's why it has been decided that the system will be built from aluminum (an uncommon material for speaker design due to resonances that can emerge from vibration). Yet by using his engineering background, Kerem created a system that is both visually appealing and sounds fantastic.

RESEARCH BACKGROUNG

His PhD research is centered on the phenomenology of atmosphere and on creating immersive architectural spaces through sonic means. Kerem's installation work is often categorized as architectural installations on space, atmosphere, and sound spatialization. Through that investigation, his graduate research focuses on sound installations, the concept of space, the phenomenology of atmospheres, and WFS. He believes the future of immersive audio systems lies in WFS meeting with good design that blurs the line between real and virtual.

THE AURA Hardware and Software

Drivers: Dayton Audio RS75-4 3" Reference Full-Range

Boards: Custom-made Boards with 30W per Channel Amplifiers

Audio Interface: RME MADIface XT RME M32-DA (32 Channel Digital to Analog Converter)

Software: Custom SuperCollider Extention coded by Ergener called PANWFS.ar

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