How to Record Spatial Audio: Full Guide
Spatial audio is quickly becoming the next frontier in sound recording, pushing the boundaries of listening. Unlike conventional audio, which is often restricted to two channels or confined to a particular direction, spatial audio immerses the listener in a 360-degree soundscape, making it feel like the sounds are all around them.
This cutting-edge technology has found its place in modern music production, VR/AR experiences, and gaming, offering a truly immersive experience that’s hard to achieve with traditional audio formats.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about recording spatial audio, from the tools you’ll need to the techniques that will ensure you capture high-quality, immersive sound.
What You Will Learn...
Understand the basics of spatial audio.
Learn about the different tools for recording spatial audio.
Get tips on best practices for capturing high-quality 3D sound.
Explore how Audiocube can achieve audio spatialization in post production, from non-spatially recored audio.
Learn How To Make Spatial Audio with other techniques!
Before looking at the traditional techniques - I’d like to quickly share my software project - Audiocube!
This is a unique Spatial Audio DAW, that helps you to convert any .wav or.mp3 into a spatial audio recording, giving you precise control over the placement, direction, and acoustic simulation of your spatial scene.
For anybody interested in working with spatial audio, I recommend you try the free version of Audiocube! I’ll explain the workflow in more detail later in this guide…
What is Spatial Audio?
Spatial audio is an audio format designed to deliver sound from every direction, providing a three-dimensional listening experience. Unlike stereo sound, which spreads audio across two channels (left and right), or surround sound, which typically focuses on a multiple speakers placed around a room, spatial audio gives the sensation that sound is coming from all around you - even from above and below. This creates a more immersive listening experience.
At the core of spatial audio is sound localization, a principle that mimics how we naturally perceive sound in the real world. For example, with spatial audio, if a bird chirps above you and a car passes by on your left, the audio is designed to replicate these movements in a highly realistic way, as if you were physically present in the scene. This is achieved through specialized recording techniques like binaural recording, which uses two microphones to capture sound as it would be heard by human ears, or through formats like Ambisonics, which records sound in 360 degrees.
Key formats used in spatial audio include Dolby Atmos, which is commonly employed in films and music for immersive sound design, and Ambisonics, widely used for virtual reality (VR) applications due to its ability to fully envelop the listener. These formats make it possible to create realistic environments and enhance emotional engagement, which is why spatial audio is increasingly being adopted across multiple industries, including music, film, and gaming.
Find out more: Spatial Audio vs Surround Sound
And learn What is Binaural Audio?
Tools You Need to Record Spatial Audio
To record spatial audio effectively, you’ll need a set of tools specifically designed for capturing and manipulating 360-degree sound. These tools range from microphones to software and hardware that allow you to create an immersive auditory experience.
Microphones
The first essential tool for recording spatial audio is the microphone, and there are several types to choose from depending on your recording goals.
Ambisonic Microphones: These mics are ideal for recording full-sphere sound, capturing audio from all directions. The SoundField by RØDE NT-SF1 is a popular choice for high-quality ambisonic recording. For a more cost-effective option, the Zoom H3-VR is a portable ambisonic mic that offers great results without breaking the bank.
Binaural Microphones: These microphones simulate the way humans hear sound by using two microphones positioned like ears. The 3Dio Free Space Pro II is a premium binaural mic that excels in capturing realistic, immersive soundscapes. For a more budget-friendly option, you can opt for the Roland CS-10EM binaural earphones to record binaural sound.
360-Degree Microphones: Similar to ambisonic mics, these capture sound from every direction but are typically designed for simpler use cases like 360-degree video. The Insta360 3D microphone, for example, pairs well with VR cameras for immersive audio-video recordings.
Recording Software - 3D DAWs
Once you’ve captured your spatial audio, you’ll need software capable of handling it. Traditional DAWs like Pro Tools and Logic Pro are excellent for mixing and editing spatial audio, but for ambisonic recordings, Reaper is highly recommended. Reaper supports Ambisonics and offers a wide range of plugins for manipulating 3D sound fields. Another great option is Facebook 360 Spatial Workstation, which provides sound operators a suite of tools for mixing immersive audio in virtual environments.
These DAWs not only support the recording of spatial audio but also offer tools for precise 3D sound manipulation, allowing you to pan, rotate, and layer your sounds within a virtual space.
Find out more about 3D Music Software.
Recording Hardware
To record high-quality spatial audio, you’ll also need a reliable audio interface. The Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 is an affordable interface that works well with spatial microphones, providing multiple inputs for Ambisonic and binaural recordings. If you’re working on VR or AR projects, specialized hardware like the Zylia ZM-1 offers both audio interface and spatial microphone capabilities in one compact device.
For those recording spatial audio on the go, devices like the Zoom H3-VR, mentioned earlier, integrate both the microphone and recorder into a single unit, streamlining the process for field recordings or quick captures.
How To Record Spatial Audio: Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you have the right tools, let’s walk through the steps involved in recording spatial audio. This guide will help you capture immersive, high-quality sound from start to finish.
Step 1: Choose the Right Microphone
The first step is selecting the microphone that best suits your project. If you're aiming for a realistic 3D soundscape that mirrors human hearing, a binaural microphone is the way to go. However, if you’re working on a VR or 360-degree video project, an ambisonic microphone will give you the flexibility to manipulate the sound field in post-production.
Step 2: Set Up the Recording Space
The recording environment plays a significant role in the quality of your spatial audio. Choose a space with minimal background noise and reflective surfaces. You want to avoid unwanted sound reflections, as they can distort the spatial accuracy of your recording. If you’re capturing a natural soundscape, the acoustics of the outdoor environment can enhance the immersion.
Step 3: Position the Microphone
For the best results, position your microphone in the center of the action, so it can capture sound from all directions. In an outdoor setting, this might mean placing the mic in a clearing surrounded by sound sources like birds or running water. In a studio, ensure your sound sources are strategically positioned around the mic to fully utilize its 360-degree capture capabilities.
Step 4: Record and Monitor in Real-Time
When recording spatial audio, real-time monitoring is crucial. Using headphones, listen to the recording as it happens to ensure balance across all directions. Make adjustments to sound source placement as needed to avoid a lopsided or flat recording.
Step 5: Export and Process in a DAW
After capturing your audio, export the raw recordings into your DAW. This is where you’ll mix and spatialize the sound elements to create an immersive final product. Use plugins to manipulate the positioning of each sound source within the 3D space and make any necessary adjustments to volume and clarity. Finally, render the project in a format that supports spatial audio, such as Ambisonic audio or a specially encoded stereo file, depending on the intended playback system.
Or, try the pseudo binaural recording method I outline in my guide - What Is Binaural Audio?
Spatialize Any Audio Recording With Software - Audiocube
When it comes to post-production and spatializing audio, Audiocube is your go-to tool for transforming any standard audio recording into a fully immersive experience.
Even if the sound was not originally captured using spatial audio techniques, Audiocube’s advanced 3D audio processing allows you to apply spatial effects using binaural HRTF (Head-Related Transfer Function) and cutting-edge spatial control.
This means you can take a standard stereo recording and give it the depth and dimension of a fully spatialized soundscape.
Audiocube offers a range of features that make it ideal for producers, sound designers, and anyone looking to create immersive audio:
Full 3D Sound Control: Audiocube provides a virtual 3D environment where you can manipulate and visualize sound sources in real-time.
Intuitive UI for Real-Time Adjustments: The software’s user-friendly interface makes spatial audio adjustments easy, even for those new to spatial sound.
Effortless Soundscape Creation: Audiocube enables you to craft immersive soundscapes with ease.
Acoustic Simulation and Binauralisation: Using advanced acoustic simulation, Audiocube lets you apply the spatial characteristics of different environments to your audio.
Audiocube’s unique combination of ease-of-use and powerful spatial audio capabilities simplifies the complex process of spatial audio recording and mixing.
It essentially gives you a virtual space to re-record audio files using binaural audio.
Best Practices for Recording High-Quality Spatial Audio
Recording spatial audio requires careful attention to your environment and setup to ensure an immersive and realistic soundscape. Here are some best practices to follow when working on spatial audio recordings.
Tip 1: Choose the Right Recording Environment
The space where you record can make or break the quality of your spatial audio. Ideally, you’ll want to record in an environment with minimal background noise and controlled acoustics. Outdoor recordings, for example, might introduce unexpected sounds like wind or traffic, which could disrupt the 3D sound image. In a studio, the acoustics of the room should be treated with soundproofing or sound-absorbing materials to minimize reflections and reverberations. This helps ensure that the recorded sound is as clean and direct as possible.
Tip 2: Control Noise and Positioning
Noise reduction is essential when capturing spatial audio. Consider using directional microphones or placing noise barriers around unwanted sound sources. Positioning your microphone setup is equally critical. The more balanced your sound sources are around the microphone, the more accurate the spatial audio representation will be. Make sure that any key sound elements are strategically placed to maximize the 3D sound effect.
Tip 3: Avoid Phasing Issues
Phasing occurs when two or more sound waves interfere with each other, leading to a hollow or distorted sound. This is a common issue in spatial recordings, especially if sound sources are placed too closely together. To avoid phasing, ensure that each sound source has a distinct place in the 3D space. Adjust the distance and angles of sound sources to avoid overlap and phase cancellation, particularly when using multiple microphones.
Tip 4: Post-Processing and Spatialization
Once you’ve captured the raw audio, the post-processing phase is where you can really bring your recording to life. Spatialization tools allow you to manipulate the positioning of each sound source in the virtual soundscape, enhancing depth and immersion. By carefully adjusting the levels of different audio layers, you can create a more dynamic and realistic sound field. Reverb and delay are great tools for adding depth to specific sounds, but be mindful not to overuse them, as they can muddy the spatial effect if applied excessively.
This is a great way to make soundscapes and ambient music, find out more: How To Create Ambient Music
Editing and Mixing Spatial Audio
Editing and mixing spatial audio require a different approach than traditional stereo or surround sound mixing. You’ll need specialized tools to effectively manipulate sound within a 3D space. Here’s a brief guide to help you through the process.
Mixing Spatial Audio
The key to making a good spatial audio mix lies in the ability to place and move sound sources within a 360-degree environment. This gives you full control over the direction, distance, and movement of sounds. Most DAWs that support spatial audio, like Reaper and Pro Tools, offer plugins and tools that allow for precise control over sound placement. You can experiment with moving sound sources dynamically, simulating the way sounds travel in a real-world environment.
Key Plugins and Tools
Some of the best tools for spatial audio mixing include plugins designed for 3D sound manipulation:
DearVR Pro: A powerful spatial audio plugin that lets you position sounds in a three-dimensional space, offering control over azimuth, elevation, and distance.
Facebook 360 Spatial Workstation: Perfect for VR and 360-degree content, this suite provides tools for mixing spatial audio within virtual environments.
SPAT Revolution: A comprehensive 3D sound tool that integrates with most DAWs, allowing you to control the spatial properties of sound elements in real-time.
Using these tools, you can precisely place sound sources and adjust their movement through space, creating an immersive and realistic sound field.
Final Thoughts
I encourage you to start experimenting with spatial audio recording techniques and explore the tools available to make the process easier.
If you’re ready to take your projects to the next level, Audiocube is the perfect tool to help you create stunning 3D audio environments with minimal effort. Its intuitive interface and powerful spatial controls give you the freedom to create without the complexity usually associated with spatial audio production.
Download Audiocube today for free to explore the future of spatial audio production and see how it can elevate your next project
