A Real-Time Audio Upmixing Method from Stereo to 7.1-Channel Audio

In this paper, we propose a new method of upmixing stereo signals into 7.1-channel signals in order to provide more auditory realism. The proposed upmixing method employs an adaptive panning and a decorrelation technique for making more channels and reproducing natural reverberant surround sounds, respectively. The performance of the proposed upmixing method is evaluated using a MUSHRA test and compared with those of conventional upmixing methods. It is shown from the tests that 7.1-channel audio signals upmixed by the proposed method are preferred, compared to not only their original stereo audio signals but also 7.1-channel audio signals upmixed by conventional methods.