Microphone and sound image processing system

A system to process sound images, the system comprising:

• a microphone assembly comprising:
• a first microphone element having a first output and a first unidirectional pattern defining a first axis;
• a second microphone element having a second output and a second unidirectional pattern defining a second axis;
• and
• a third microphone element having a third output and a bidirectional pattern defining a null plane about which opposing lobes of the bidirectional pattern have substantial symmetry, wherein the first and second axes lie substantially along the null plane of the bidirectional pattern, and the first, second and third microphone elements are substantially coincident;
• and
• means for decoding signals provided from the first, second and third microphone element outputs into a plurality of channel signals.

A computer program product (CPP) containing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations to process a set of three microphone output signals into a plurality of channels of sound image information, the operations comprising:

• receive a set of microphone signals from a microphone assembly that comprises:
• a first microphone element having a first output and a first unidirectional pattern defining a first axis;
• a second microphone element having a second output and a second unidirectional pattern defining a second axis;
• and
• a third microphone element having a third output and a bidirectional pattern defining a null plane about which opposing lobes of the bidirectional pattern have substantial symmetry, wherein the first and second axes lie substantially along the null plane of the bidirectional pattern, and the first, second and third microphone elements are substantially coincident;
• and
• process signals provided from the first, second and third microphone element outputs into a plurality of channel signals.