Paper Archive

Scattering Delay Networks (SDNs) are an interesting approach to artificial reverberation, with parameters tied to the room’s physical properties and the computational efficiency of delay networks. This paper presents a highly-parametrized and real-time plugin of an SDN. The SDN plugin allows for interactive room auralization, enabling users to modify the parameters affecting the reverberation in real-time. These parameters include source and receiver positions, room shape and size, and wall absorption properties. This makes our plugin suitable for applications that require realtime and interactive spatial audio rendering, such as virtual or augmented reality frameworks and video games. Additionally, the main contributions of this work include a filter design method for wall sound absorption, as well as plugin features such as air absorption modeling, various output formats (mono, stereo, binaural, and first to fifth order Ambisonics), open sound control (OSC) for controlling source and receiver parameters, and a graphical user interface (GUI). Evaluation tests showed that the reverberation time and the filter design approach are consistent with both theoretical references and real-world measurements. Finally, performance analysis indicated that the SDN plugin requires minimal computational resources.

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This article presents ZePolA, a digital audio equalizer designed as an educational resource for understanding digital filter design. Unlike conventional equalization plug-ins, which define the frequency response first and then derive the filter coefficients, this software adopts an inverse approach: users directly manipulate the placement of poles and zeros on the complex plane, with the corresponding frequency response visualized in real time. This methodology provides an intuitive link between theoretical filter concepts and their practical application. The plug-in features three main panels: a filter parameter panel, a frequency response panel, and a filter design panel. It allows users to configure a cascade of firstor second-order filter elements, each parameterized by the location of its poles or zeros. The GUI supports interaction through drag-and-drop gestures, enabling immediate visual and auditory feedback. This hands-on approach is intended to enhance learning by bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. To assess the educational value and usability of the plug-in, a preliminary evaluation was conducted with focus groups of students and lecturers. Future developments will include support for additional filter types and increased architectural flexibility. Moreover, a systematic validation study involving students and educators is proposed to quantitatively evaluate the plug-in’s impact on learning outcomes. This work contributes to the field of digital signal processing education by offering an innovative tool that merges the hands-on approach of music production with a deeper theoretical understanding of digital filters, fostering an interactive and engaging educational experience.

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