Abstract: Embodiments are described for a method of rendering audio for playback through headphones comprising receiving digital audio content, receiving binaural rendering metadata generated by an authoring tool processing the received digital audio content, receiving playback metadata generated by a playback device, and combining the binaural rendering metadata and playback metadata to optimize playback of the digital audio content through the headphones.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for capturing and for play-back of sound originating from a plurality of sources. It also includes a computer program product having an audio file adapted to receive and play back such sound. Basically, sound originating from each sound source is recorded on individual tracks. To preserve the spatial distribution and the movement of the sound sources, the current positions of the sound sources are also recorded relative to at least one listening position. Furthermore, movements of one or more listeners during playback can be tracked and used for rendering the spatial acoustic field during playback tailored to the current position of the listener(s).