The Core Sound TetraMic Microphone a cheaper alternative to the SoundField line of B-format microphones is now shipping.
Another surround sound mic in development is the E32 Eigenmike. The Eigenmike is a scalable microphone array with elements embedded into a rigid sphere. Individual microphone outputs are processed with a beamforming algorithm which enables the ability to record and playback accurate 3D spatial audio. The Eigenmike’s directivity pattern can be controlled in real-time or stored and processed at a later time. Eigenmike technology is based on the principles of spherical harmonic decomposition. Some key characteristics include:
- infinite control of directivity pattern (shape and direction)
- any number of unique beamformer outputs
- electronically steerable
- complete spatial description of the 3D sound-field
- post sound-field processing of prerecorded eigenbeam signals
- scalable in size and number of elements
