In one embodiment, the method includes receiving the audio signal having configuration information and multi-channels, and reading a first indicator from the configuration information. The first indicator indicates whether or not channel mapping information is included in the configuration information. The channel mapping information is read from the configuration information if the first indicator indicates that the channel mapping information is included in the configuration information. The channel mapping information indicates to which speaker in a reproduction device to map each channel in the audio signal. A second indicator is also read from the configuration information. The second indicator indicates whether or not channel rearrangement information is included in the configuration information. The channel rearrangement information is read from the configuration information if the second indicator indicates that the channel rearrangement information is included in the configuration information. The channel rearrangement information indicates a rearrangement of the multi-channels. The multi-channels are decoded based on the channel mapping information and channel rearrangement information.