PCMA-3D v2

PCMA-3D v2

If you're talking about immersive audio, you can't get around Hyunkook Lee's great work on this topic, which is a must-know.

He made some very impressive recordings with the PCMA-3D v1. Please have a look at THIS video, to learn about this setup and it's features. - Then put on your headphones and listen to THIS.

With the new version of the PCMA-3D Prof. Lee shows a setup to capture "[...] a natural and realistic representation of the sound field, ensuring accurate localization and a balanced spatial impression. This design is based on key psychoacoustic principles of vertical stereophony."  (source)

But let the inventor describe his system with his own words:

"Configuration: The original PCMA was designed for effective direct-to-reverberation ratio control in the 5.1 format, utilising two coincidentally arranged directional microphones at each pick-up point of the array. This concept was later adapted for 3D recording, based on experimental findings suggesting that vertical microphone spacing or vertical decorrelation has little effect on overall spatial impression. PCMA-3D, therefore, employs a horizontally spaced, vertically coincident microphone arrangement. The vertical pair is angled so that there is at least 7-10 dB of channel separation as in ESMA-3D. A supercardioid microphone (Schoeps CCM41) facing directly upwards captures the height channel, while a cardioid microphone directed towards the source ensures optimal performance. For the ECHO project, PCMA-3D v2 was used instead, featuring omnidirectional microphones (Schoeps MK2H) for the main layer (L, C, and R) to extend low-frequency response. Additionally, the height layer was positioned approximately 25 cm above the main layer, providing sufficient channel separation through decorrelation above 1 kHz." (source)

The layout is like shown in this graph. 

(source)

This is quite a thing! We wanted to make it light enough that you could carry it a mile or two on your own. 
We built this system with our own gear, took it all down, and packed it into our bigger backpack. The total weight was 22 kg! 
It took about an hour to set it up again and make it work the second time. 

It took us a while to reduce the weight and find the optimal configuration. The "plumbing" is where you can save weight, by reducing the number and length of pipes needed.

This is the backpack with ALL gear that is necessary to set up the PCMA v2 system as you can see above. (apart from the multicores)

It was necessary to place the backpack on a table in order to put it on.
At first, it pulled us back quite a bit. It is certainly very heavy for a long walk, but it will be fine for a mile or two.

The problem is the three multicore cables. They are really difficult to attach and make the whole thing a little unstable to carry. But it works.

 

Here's a quick look inside the backpack. Just to give you an idea! A photograph is being prepared, showcasing the array of equipment arranged for optimal visibility.

The tutorial is almost ready, and the list of the gear used is undergoing its final review. 

As soon as everything has been double-checked, we will share it with you. 

Stay tuned.