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RESEARCH — RENDERING ALGORITHM

WFS-X

Wave Field Synthesis 2D/3D

Ripl's wavefront engine: a multithreaded C core rendering up to 128 sources on 64 speakers with artifact-free interpolation. At full precision it goes beyond the textbook — per-path filtering, array mode, no dedicated hardware.

THE PROBLEM

Wavefronts used to demand everything

Wave field synthesis traditionally demands everything at once: exact speaker positions, directivity data, dedicated processors — or you do not get wavefronts at all. That has kept it locked in research venues and flagship installations.

HOW IT WORKS

How it works

128 × 64, multithreaded

A C engine designed for real time: 128 simultaneous sources on 64 speakers, with interpolation that doesn't click or smear on moving sources.

Precision scales with knowledge

Approximate positions give immediate results; add exact positions and directivity data and the rendering reaches full WFS quality — same CPU either way.

Array mode (WFS-XL)

Per-group array processing treats a speaker cluster as one coherent system, with per-path filtering for line arrays and beam steering.

UNDER THE HOOD

Going deeper

WFS-X scales precision with knowledge instead. With approximate positions it already renders convincing spatialization; add measured positions and adaptive delays engage; add speaker types and frequency directivity and you reach full WFS with per-path FIR filtering (WFS-XL) — beyond the textbook formulation. All three modes consume the same CPU.

The core is a multithreaded C engine: 128 simultaneous sources on 64 speakers, artifact-free interpolation on moving sources, RT-safe by construction.

AT A GLANCE

At a glance

InputUp to 128 objects
OutputUp to 64 speakers — arbitrary geometry
LatencyZero added
ImplementationC · multithreaded · RT-safe
AvailabilityShips in Ripl · OEM licensing

PARAMETERS

Hands on the algorithm

FocusPoint source ↔ plane wave ↔ omni, per source
Spread & presencePer source
Distance lawAdjustable
ModeLow / Mid / High — precision scales with system knowledge
Array modeWFS-XL per-group processing
EngineMultithreaded C, RT-safe

POSITIONING

Compared to the alternatives

vs algorithm catalogs

Holophonix exposes 15 algorithms, SPAT routes per room — you choose, you reconcile. WFS-X refines with the data you add, without ruptures.

vs hardware processors

No dedicated rack, no proprietary processor: the same rendering runs on your machine.

APPLICATIONS

Where it fits

Live & touring

Wavefront rendering on frontal and surround arrays, show after show.

Permanent installations

Theatres, domes and venues with full-precision directivity data.

Immersive venues

Large source counts for dense, moving scenes.

OEM spatial processors

The rendering core for processor manufacturers — no dedicated hardware required.

INTEGRATION

Built to live inside your product

DeliveryC · C++ · MATLAB · .dsp — full source code
PlatformsmacOS · Windows · Linux
DSP platformsFlow DSP · Audio Weaver — solutions in preparation
DocumentationWhitepaper — every algorithm explained, in the clear

OEM LICENSING

  • ■  One-time payment per brand
  • ■  Full source code — C, C++, MATLAB, .dsp
  • ■  Whitepaper — all algorithms explained
  • ■  Integration support included
  • ■  Free updates
  • ■  Volume discounts on multiple licenses
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