A method to encode audio signals is provided for use with an audio capture device that includes multiple microphones having a spatial arrangement on the device, a method to encode audio signals comprising: receiving multiple microphone signals corresponding to the multiple microphones; determining a number and directions of arrival of directional audio sources represented in the one or more microphone signals; determining one of an active microphone signal component and a passive microphone signal component, based upon the determined number and directions of arrival; determining the other of the active microphone signal component and the passive microphone signal component, based upon the determined one of the active input spatial audio signal component and the passive input spatial audio signal component; encoding the active microphone signal component; encoding the passive microphone signal component.