Real-time Reverberation Algorithms and Tests of Algorithm Goodness
D’Ante J. Carter, Mark P. Fesenmeyer, Brian T. Lee, Benjamin D. McPheron
Abstract - A number of proposed algorithms for real-time implementation of reverb already exist. Many
of these algorithms have yet to be tested, and it is difficult to determine the goodness of one algorithm
over another. This work explores the sound properties of different materials. Certain algorithms may be
good in different situations, depending on the materials being used (or the general acoustics of the
environment). In order to determine the goodness of one algorithm over another, the most reasonable
course of action is to listen to the resulting sounds. However, “listening” to determine goodness is
subjective, so this work will attempt define what good-sounding algorithms look like in terms of their
audio signal. Ideally, if one algorithm “sounds better” than another, there should be observable
differences in the audio signal. One aspect of reverberation explored is whether different algorithms act
“better” or “worse” given the material the causing the reverberation. The key contributions of this work
are several new reverberation algorithms for real time use, as well as an established measure of
algorithm goodness.