Exploitation of the auralization paradigm in the virtual reality environment application

The aim of this paper is to show preliminary results of a study aimed at dealing with the specific problem of assuring real-time sound rendering in a Virtual Reality application concerning the virtual tour of the inside of the Baptistery of Pisa. It is well known that the impulse response of the Baptistery of Pisa is characterized by a 12 sec impulse response time, which raises serious computing difficulties for meeting real-time sound rendering constraints. In usual situations, like those of concert halls or historical theatres, the response time is from about 1 to 3 sec. The process of auralization of virtual reality environments, which is becoming an integral component in advanced applications of this kind, has, in recent times, attracted much research interest and is part of the wider domain of design of interior spaces with expected sound response behaviour. This article reports on the results of trial proofs performed with the Huron multi-DSP Sound Workstation, that is produced by the Australian LAKE Company, leader in the methodologies of the sound rendering at worldwide level. A preliminary investigation of the problem was developed in cooperation between the Norwegian University of Science and Technology of Trondheim and the National Research Council of Pisa, in Italy, in the framework of a stage at NTNU within the European Project "Mosart" (2003).