Yamaha RP-U100 Virtual 3D, Digital Sound Field Processing (DSP)

Virtual 3D
Surround sound typically requires	L	C	R	L	C	R
several speakers situated in front of
and behind the listening position,
which requires a substantial amount						Virtual
of space that may not always be
						speakers
available. The RP-U100 uses
Yamaha’s unique “Virtual 3D” tech-	RL		RR	RL		RR
nology to simulate a typical
	Typical surround system				Virtual 3D
surround sound system using only

two speakers. Virtual 3D, which is used by the RP-U100’s sound field programs, simulates the surround effect provided by rear and center speakers, creating “virtual” surround speakers, as shown, so even with only two front speakers, you can still enjoy surround sound.

Digital Sound Field Processing (DSP)

When you listen to a performance in a concert hall, jazz club, or other live music venue, you not only hear the direct sound coming from the musical instruments and singers, but also the “early reflections” and natural reverberation. Early reflections are the initial sound waves that bounce off the floor, ceiling, and walls. Natural reverberation is made up of sound waves that gradually attenuate as they bounce repeatedly off multiple surfaces.

Early sound

reflections

	Reverberation
Direct sound	Early sound
	reflections

Since the way you hear early reflections and reverberation depends on the shape and size of the building as well as the material and construction of the walls and ceiling, each venue has its own unique “sound,” called its “sound field.” At Yamaha, we have measured all the elements that make up a typical sound field—direction and level of the reflections, bandwidth characteristics, and delay times—at famous concert halls and opera houses around the world. The information gained in this process has been converted into programs that can be reproduced using Yamaha’s DSP technology. Using its on-board DSP, the RP-U100 can process any audio source and recreate the atmosphere of the original venue.

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