Concept for combined dynamic range compression and guided clipping prevention for audio devices

A method for operating an audio decoder, for decoding an audio bitstream and a metadata bitstream related to the audio bitstream, the method comprising:

• deriving a decoded audio signal from the audio bitstream;
• using an audio processing chain comprising a plurality of adjusting stages for adjusting characteristics of an audio output signal of the audio processing chain including adjusting a dynamic range of the audio output signal by a dynamic range control stage, which is an adjustment stage of the audio processing chain, and preventing of clipping of the audio output signal at the audio decoder by a guided clipping prevention stage, which is an adjustment stage of the audio processing chain;
• receiving, on the part of a metadata decoder, the metadata bitstream and extracting dynamic range control gain sequences and guided clipping prevention gain sequences from the metadata bitstream;
• supplying at least a part of the dynamic range control gain sequences to the dynamic range control stage;
• supplying at least a part of the guided clipping prevention gain sequences to the guided clipping prevention stage;
• using a metadata and parameter control stage for providing metadata and parameters to at least one of the adjustment stages on the basis of configuration information received from a configuration providing stage;
• and
• using the metadata and parameter control stage for selecting parts of the metadata bitstream corresponding to the guided clipping prevention gain sequences to be provided to the guided clipping prevention stage.

A non-transitory digital storage medium having a computer program stored thereon to perform the method for operating an audio decoder, for decoding an audio bitstream and a metadata bitstream related to the audio bitstream, the method comprising:

• deriving a decoded audio signal from the audio bitstream;
• using an audio processing chain comprising a plurality of adjusting stages for adjusting characteristics of an audio output signal of the audio processing chain including adjusting a dynamic range of the audio output signal by a dynamic range control stage, which is an adjustment stage of the audio processing chain, and preventing of clipping of the audio output signal at the audio decoder by a guided clipping prevention stage, which is an adjustment stage of the audio processing chain;
• receiving, on the part of a metadata decoder, the metadata bitstream and extracting dynamic range control gain sequences and guided clipping prevention gain sequences from the metadata bitstream;
• supplying at least a part of the dynamic range control gain sequences to the dynamic range control stage;
• supplying at least a part of the guided clipping prevention gain sequences to the guided clipping prevention stage;
• using a metadata and parameter control stage for providing metadata and parameters to at least one of the adjustment stages on the basis of configuration information received from a configuration providing stage;
• and
• using the metadata and parameter control stage for selecting parts of the metadata bitstream corresponding to the guided clipping prevention gain sequences to be provided to the guided clipping prevention stage, when said computer program is run by a computer.