Abstract: A signal processing system and method is disclosed for applying time-based effects to an N-channel audio input signal for reproduction on a set of loudspeakers having a predetermined configuration. A first M-channel audio signal is produced from the N-channel audio input signal. Each channel of the first M-channel audio signal is associated with a subset of the loudspeakers. A second M-channel audio signal is produced from the first M-channel audio signal according to an M×M matrix, each element aij in the M×M matrix including a delay term. A minimum value of the delay term in each element aij is determined according to a distance between at least two loudspeakers in at least one of the i and j subsets of loudspeakers and according to minimum delay value of a time-based delay effect applied to each channel of the second M-channel audio signal. A K-channel audio signal is then produced from the or each second M-channel audio signal.

Abstract: A method for producing a multi-channel audio signal from one or more sound object signals is disclosed, where, for each sound object signal a plurality of width signals is produced, the amplitudes of the width signals following a substantially Gaussian distribution. The width signals are processed to produce a plurality of pan signals which are mapped to at least one channel. Each channel in the audio signal is produced by combining the pan signals from each sound object. An apparatus for reproducing such a multi-channel audio signal is also disclosed, in which a plurality of first loudspeakers are provided spaced around a first arc forward of a predetermined listening zone, each of the first loudspeakers facing towards the listening zone and substantially equidistant therefrom. A plurality of second loudspeakers are provided spaced around a second arc behind the listening zone, each of the second loudspeakers facing towards the listening zone.