Processing input audio channels for generating spatial audio can include receiving a plurality of microphone signals that capture a sound field. Each microphone signal can be transformed into a frequency domain signal. From each frequency domain signal, a direct component and a diffuse component can be extracted. The direct component can be processed with a parametric renderer. The diffuse component can be processed with a linear renderer. The components can be combined, resulting in a spatial audio output. The levels of the components can be adjusted to match a direct to diffuse ratio (DDR) of the output with the DDR of the captured sound field. Other aspects are also described and claimed.