What are some tips and tricks for avoiding common pitfalls and errors when working with ambisonic sounds?

1 What are ambisonic sounds?

Ambisonic sounds are a type of spatial audio that use a special format of multichannel audio files to encode the sound field of a location. Unlike conventional stereo or surround sound, ambisonic sounds do not depend on a fixed speaker layout or listening position. Instead, they can be decoded and rendered in real time according to the listener's orientation and movement, creating a dynamic and immersive sound experience. Ambisonic sounds can be used for various applications, such as virtual reality, gaming, film, music, and sound art.

2 How to record ambisonic sounds?

To record ambisonic sounds, you need a special microphone that can capture the sound from different directions. There are different types of ambisonic microphones, such as tetrahedral, octahedral, or spherical, that have different numbers and arrangements of capsules. The most common format is the first-order ambisonic (FOA), which uses four capsules in a tetrahedral shape. The output of the microphone is a four-channel audio file, also known as A-format, that contains the raw signals of each capsule. To convert the A-format to a more usable format, you need to use a software encoder that applies some mathematical transformations and generates a new four-channel file, known as B-format, that contains the sound pressure and the three components of the sound vector.

3 How to edit and mix ambisonic sounds?

To edit and mix ambisonic sounds, you need a software that can handle multichannel audio files and support ambisonic plugins. There are several options available, such as Reaper, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Audacity, and others. You can use ambisonic plugins to apply various effects and manipulations to your sound, such as equalization, compression, reverb, rotation, zoom, panning, and more. You can also mix different ambisonic sources together, or add mono or stereo sources to your ambisonic mix. However, you need to be careful not to introduce phase issues or distort the sound field by using inappropriate plugins or settings.

4 How to export and play ambisonic sounds?

To export and play ambisonic sounds, you need to consider the format and the platform of your audio. There are different formats of ambisonic audio, such as AmbiX, FuMa, SN3D, or N3D, that have different conventions and standards for the order and normalization of the channels. You need to choose the format that is compatible with your target platform, such as YouTube, Facebook, Oculus, SteamVR, or others. You also need to use a software decoder that can convert the B-format to the appropriate speaker layout or headphone output for your platform. Some platforms have built-in decoders, while others require external plugins or applications.

5 What are some tips and tricks for ambisonic sounds?

Working with ambisonic sounds can be rewarding and fun, but also challenging and complex. To avoid common pitfalls and errors when creating ambisonic sounds, it is recommended to use a calibrated microphone and encoder for accuracy and quality recordings, as well as headphones or speakers with a flat frequency response and low distortion to monitor your sound. Additionally, use a head tracker or a VR headset to test your sound in different orientations and positions. For metadata tools, embed the necessary information and tags to your audio files such as format, order, normalization, and orientation. Furthermore, use quality control tools to check your audio for errors like clipping, noise, phase issues, or channel mismatch. Lastly, use reference materials and examples to compare and evaluate your sound.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?