Final answer:
A coincident stereo mic array creates stereo utilizing the constructive and destructive interference of sound waves, capturing spatial and directional cues through the superposition of waves.
Step-by-step explanation:
A coincident stereo mic array creates stereo with a sense of space and directionality that is largely a result of constructive and destructive interference of sound waves. This technology uses the principle of the superposition of waves, where at least two microphones are placed close together to capture sound almost from the same point in space.
The differences in time and phase of the sound waves reaching the microphones are calculated to create a two-channel stereo image that can convey the room's acoustics and the location of various sound sources.
As sound waves travel, they interact with the environment, with waves reflecting from surfaces such as walls, and the resulting wave at any point is the superposition of all the contributing waves. This mix of interference can cause variations in loudness and phase, which a coincident stereo mic array can use to capture a realistic stereo image that mimics human hearing.
The shaded areas in Figure 16.41 represent the intensity distribution due to interference in a room setup with stereo speakers.