A multi-channel audio encoder,decoder, methods and computer program for switching between a parametric multi-channel operation and an individual channel operation

A multi-channel audio encoder (100) for providing an encoded audio representation (112) on the basis of an input audio representation (110) is provided. The multi-channel audio encoder (100) is configured to switch (140) between a parametric multi-channel encoding (120) of a plurality of channels and an individual encoding (130) of a plurality of channels in dependence on characteristics of the input audio representation (110).