Virtual acoustics for choir singers: Exploring the impact of choirspacing on singer perception
2025 (English) Conference paper, Published paper (Refereed)
Abstract [en]
Choir spacing—the physical arrangement and distance between singers—is known to influence both ensemble sound and individual singing experience. However, systematic perceptual studies remain limited due to the challenges of conducting controlled experiments with full choirs. This study presents a virtual acoustics system designed to investigate spacing effects under repeatable and controlled conditions. Anechoic recordings were combined with binaural room impulse responses (BRIRs) simulated in Room Acoustics for VirtualENvironments (RAVEN) to recreate a concert hall environment. In each session, one participant sang live with spatialized pre-recorded choir voices rendered over closed-back headphones, with EQ compensation applied to their own voice. Thirty-nine experienced choir singers performed under three spacing conditions: Close, Lateral, and Circumambient. After each condition, participants completed a questionnaire assessing perception of self and others, vocal production, and overall preferences. Results indicated that spread formations (Lateral and Circumambient) significantly improved self-monitoring and tuning. Perception of other sections showed mixed results and was not consistently affected by spacing. Vocal effort ratings did not differ significantly, while vocal technique adjustments were border-line significant, with greater adjustment reported in the closer formation. Most singers preferred spread formation for concert settings. The study demonstrates the feasibility of using virtual acoustics to explore spacing effects in choral performance.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages Audio Engineering Society, Inc., 2025. p. 8-, article id 392
Series
AES E-Library
Keywords [en]
virtual acoustics, choir singing, choir spacing, music perception
National Category
Signal Processing Performing Arts Fluid Mechanics
Research subject Speech and Music Communication
Identifiers URN: urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-373045 OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kth-373045 DiVA, id: diva2:2014429
Conference Audio Engineering Society, 159th Convention 2025 October 23–25, Long Beach, CA, USA
Note QC 20251219
AES 159th Convention Express Paper 392
2025-11-172025-11-172025-12-19 Bibliographically approved