Procedural and Spatial Sound

A.Y. 2025/2026
6
Max ECTS
48
Overall hours
SSD
INF/01
Language
English
Learning objectives
Undefined
Expected learning outcomes
Undefined
Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
First four month period
Course syllabus
The program is focused on the following topics
1) Introduction to audio for virtual reality
- Rendering pipeline
- Approaches to audio synthesis and rendering
- Immersion and presence
2) Procedural models for sound synthesis
- Signal-based synthesis
- Source-based synthesis and physical modeling
- Latency, perceptual and computational aspects
3) 3D sound rendering
- Spatial sound perception
- Reverberation and virtual acoustics
- Binaural rendering
4) Software tools for audio in VR
- Basics of real-time audio processing
- Introduction to the Pure-Data environment
- Introduction to "audio middleware" software (FMOD)
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific prerequisites other than those required to enroll into the master degree.
Teaching methods
The entire course is taught by lectures.
Teaching Resources
Web site:
https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=7243

For the part on procedural models for sound synthesis:
- Andy Farnell, "Designing Sound", MIT press (2010)

For the part on 3D sound rendering:
- Bosun Xie, "Head-related transfer function and virtual auditory display",
2nd edition, J. Ross Publishing (2013)
- Frank Zotter and Matthias Frank, "Ambisonics"
Springer Open (2019)
https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030172060

During the lectures, the instructor provides references to several scientific papers.
Additional complementary material prepared by the instructor is made available through the web site of the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of a written test (multiple choice/open questions) and the development of a project, which has to be critically discussed in an oral test. The project can be developed individually or in a group of two students.
The evaluation is given in thirtieths and is based on the following aspects: mastering of the course topics, ability to apply the acquired knowledge to solving actual problems, logical and critical thinking.
INF/01 - INFORMATICS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor: Avanzini Federico
Professor(s)
Reception:
To be arranged by e-mail
Via Celoria 18, room no. 4004