Immersive audio idescribes a listening experience that envelops the listener in a three-dimensional sound environment. This is achieved by utilising advanced audio processing techniques, multiple speakers, and sound positioning to create the sensation of sounds coming from all around the listener, including above and below. The goal of immersive audio is to create a more realistic and engaging sound experience, making it feel as if the listener is truly "inside" the audio environment.
Some key aspects of immersive audio include:
Spatial audio
Reproducing sound in a way that accurately represents the position of sound sources in a 3D space. This can be achieved using various methods such as binaural recordings, ambisonics, or object-based audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
Multi-channel speaker setups
Immersive audio typically requires a multi-channel speaker configuration to deliver sounds from different directions. These setups can range from traditional surround sound systems, such as 5.1 or 7.1, to more advanced configurations like 7.1.4 or even 22.2, which include height channels for overhead sounds.
Object-based audio
Formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X use object-based audio to represent individual sound sources as discrete audio objects that can be placed anywhere in the 3D space. This allows for more precise control over the positioning and movement of sounds, resulting in a more realistic and immersive audio experience.
Binaural audio
This technique captures or recreates sound in a way that mimics the way human ears perceive sound. Binaural recordings use two microphones placed at the approximate distance and position of human ears to capture audio, which can then be played back using headphones to create a highly immersive listening experience.
Ambisonics
This is a full-sphere surround sound format that captures audio from all directions, including above and below the listener. Ambisonic recordings can be decoded and played back through various speaker configurations or headphones to create a 3D audio experience.
Virtualisation
Some immersive audio systems use virtualisation techniques to simulate the presence of multiple speakers or sound sources using a smaller number of actual speakers. This can be achieved through digital signal processing and psychoacoustic principles.
Immersive audio is increasingly popular in various applications such as movies, music, video games, virtual reality, and live events, as it provides a more engaging and realistic listening experience for the audience.
If you are looking to start creating immersive mixes for music and film, we can assist with gear selection and setup. Get in touch for a free consultation.
