Apparatus and method for providing enhanced guided downmix capabilities for 3d audio

An apparatus for generating two or more audio output channels from three or more audio input channels, wherein the apparatus comprises:

• a receiving interface for receiving the three or more audio input channels and for receiving side information, and
• a downmixer for downmixing the three or more audio input channels depending on the side information to acquire the two or more audio output channels,
• wherein the number of the audio output channels is smaller than the number of the audio input channels, and
• wherein the side information indicates a characteristic of at least one of the three or more audio input channels, or a characteristic of one or more sound waves recorded within the one or more audio input channels, or a characteristic of one or more sound sources which emitted one or more sound waves recorded within the one or more audio input channels.

A method for generating two or more audio output channels from three or more audio input channels, wherein the method comprises:

• receiving the three or more audio input channels and receiving side information, and
• downmixing the three or more audio input channels depending on the side information to acquire the two or more audio output channels,
• wherein the number of the audio output channels is smaller than the number of the audio input channels, and
• wherein the side information indicates a characteristic of at least one of the three or more audio input channels, or a characteristic of one or more sound waves recorded within the one or more audio input channels, or a characteristic of one or more sound sources which emitted one or more sound waves recorded within the one or more audio input channels.

A non-transitory digital storage medium having a computer program stored thereon to perform the method for generating two or more audio output channels from three or more audio input channels, wherein the method comprises:

• receiving the three or more audio input channels and receiving side information, and
• downmixing the three or more audio input channels depending on the side information to acquire the two or more audio output channels,
• wherein the number of the audio output channels is smaller than the number of the audio input channels, and
• wherein the side information indicates a characteristic of at least one of the three or more audio input channels, or a characteristic of one or more sound waves recorded within the one or more audio input channels, or a characteristic of one or more sound sources which emitted one or more sound waves recorded within the one or more audio input channels,
• when said computer program is run by a computer.