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Ambisonic Sound : Diving Into 3D Audio
Ambisonic Sound, sound in all its dimensions. Diving into 3D Audio.
Ambisonic sound is an audio technology that captures and reproduces sound in all its dimensions, creating an immersive three-dimensional experience. This approach is becoming increasingly popular in areas like virtual reality (VR), video games, and music production. Ambisonic audio transports listeners into a sound scene where sounds appear to come from all directions, even from above. Let’s explore the basics and primary applications of ambisonic sound.
What Is Ambisonic Sound ?
Ambisonic sound is a 3D audio format developed in the 1970s by British engineer Michael Gerzon. Unlike stereo sound (which distributes audio across left and right channels) or even traditional surround sound (which adds channels to create a horizontal spatial effect), ambisonics captures and reproduces sound in a spherical, 360° manner. This includes not only horizontal directions (front, back, left, right) but also vertical ones (above and below).
To capture ambisonic sound, specific microphones are used that record audio in a complete spherical field (like the RODE NT-SF1, or SENNHEISER Ambeo VR). The captured audio can then be decoded and played back to give the impression that sounds originate from any direction, providing a three-dimensional listening experience.
How Does Ambisonic Sound Work ?
Ambisonic sound relies on a multi-channel recording technique, where multiple microphone capsules are oriented in different directions to capture the entire sound field. Recording is typically done in one of two formats :
- Format A: The signal is recorded directly as captured by each microphone capsule.
- Format B: The signal is converted into a set of four channels (W, X, Y, Z) that contain directional information, representing the audio in a spherical space for more flexible playback. B-Format exists in two versions, with different channel orderings:
- FuMa = W, X, Y, Z
- AmbiX = W, Y, Z, X
The main advantage of the ambisonic format is that ambisonic audio can be “decoded” to work with stereo, 5.1 surround, or even spatial audio systems used in virtual reality. The flexibility of ambisonics makes it a powerful and versatile technology.
Applications of Ambisonic Sound
Today, ambisonic sound is used in many sectors for its immersive and realistic qualities. Here are some of its main applications :
- Virtual and Augmented Reality : One of the most important applications of ambisonic sound is in virtual and augmented reality. In a VR environment, it is essential that the sound follows the user’s movements to create a realistic experience. Ambisonics allows for 3D sound that adapts to head movements, offering a sense of total immersion.
- Video Games : Sound is essential for an immersive gaming experience. Ambisonic sound is increasingly being integrated into video games, especially those designed for virtual reality. In games where sound precision is crucial, ambisonic audio can add a unique level of detail, enhancing engagement and emotional response.
- Immersive Music and Virtual Concerts : Ambisonic audio is also gaining popularity in immersive music, where it enables artists and sound engineers to create three-dimensional soundscapes. Some albums are now recorded in ambisonics to be listened to in virtual reality or on advanced audio systems. Allowing listeners to experience music as though they are surrounded by the instruments.
Virtual concerts also benefit from ambisonics : performances are captured in 360°, allowing viewers to enjoy a “live” experience from home. In this setting, music is not only heard but felt as an all-encompassing experience, where each instrument and sound has its own place in space.
How to Listen to Ambisonic Audio
To fully enjoy ambisonic content, using a virtual reality headset or headphones compatible with 3D audio is ideal. This allows listeners to appreciate the immersive quality of the audio that follows head movements. Some ambisonic content can also be decoded for playback on traditional surround sound systems, though the result is not as precise as on 3D headphones.
On platforms like YouTube and Facebook, 360° videos with ambisonic audio are becoming more common. Similarly, immersive music apps and video games now provide access to ambisonic content directly from a smartphone or computer.
The Future of Ambisonic Sound
With the rise of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality, ambisonic has enormous potential to become the standard for immersive sound. Research in this area continues, especially to improve sound capture and playback quality, making ambisonic audio increasingly accessible and adaptable to different contexts.
In conclusion, ambisonic sound is a fascinating and powerful technology that opens up new ways of experiencing audio. Whether in entertainment, gaming, music, or immersive applications, ambisonic audio pushes the boundaries of our auditory experience, letting us explore three-dimensional soundscapes. For creators and listeners alike, it’s a doorway into a new era of immersive audio.
Have you ever experimented ambisonic sound ? Share your stories in the comments below !
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