The best spatial audio plugins: my top 5
In my experience, spatial audio plugins have become crucial tools for anyone working in modern audio production. They offer something stereo mixing just can't - depth and immersion.
Instead of limiting sound to two channels, spatial audio plugins allow you to create a truly three-dimensional sound experience, where the listener feels surrounded by the music or sound design.
I'm a huge believer in the power of adding more immersive audio elements to my audio tracks and music - although I've found that the user experience and sound quality of many current tools were disappointing and limited.
This is why I decided to make my own software. Rather than making a plugin, I realized the power of making standalone software in order to break free of limitations...
In this article, I'll highlight the best spatial audio plugins, and I'll also share my new solution - a completely standalone spatial audio DAW, Audiocube.
Recomended Reading: Spatial Audio vs Surround Sound.
You will learn
Understand what spatial audio plugins are and how they work.
Discover the different types of spatial audio plugins available.
Learn how to integrate spatial audio plugins into your mixing workflow to expand a stereo mix.
Explore how Audiocube offers an alternative, standalone system for creating spatial audio..
Audiocube - standalone spatial audio software
Before looking at the main spatial audio plugins, I’m quickly going to share my own contribution to this scene - Audiocube!
Audiocube is a 3D DAW - a standalone piece of software designed to create and edit audio in a 3D environment.
I decided to move away from the plugin format in order to break free of the constraints of the VST format, and maximize the exploration potential of working with audio in a 3D space.
I’ll explain more about Audiocube later in this article, but make sure you check out the video above and try out the free download!
What is a spatial audio plugin?
A spatial audio plugin is a specialized tool that allows you to place and manipulate sound sources within a 3D environment, going beyond the limitations of traditional stereo or surround sound. While traditional audio plugins focus on effects like EQ, reverb, or compression, spatial audio plugins are designed to enhance the dimensionality of sound by simulating how audio moves in real life - around, above, and below the listener.
One of the key features of spatial audio plugins is 360-degree panning, which allows you to position sounds anywhere in a virtual space. You can also use these tools to create binaural sound, mimicking how human ears naturally hear sound, making it especially effective for headphone users.
With spatial audio plugins, you can craft immersive soundscapes, adding depth and movement to your stereo mixes that fully envelops the listener.
Learn How To Record Spatial Audio!
DearVR Pro
Types of spatial audio plugins
There are different types of spatial audio plugins, each with its own strengths depending on the format and type of project you're working on:
Ambisonics Plugins: Ambisonics plugins, like the Facebook 360 Spatial Workstation or Sennheiser AMBEO, allow you to work with Ambisonics audio formats that capture sound from all directions in a 360-degree sphere. These plugins are great for VR and 360-degree video projects, where fully immersive sound is crucial, or Dolby Atmos content.
Binaural Plugins: Binaural audio plugins, such as DearVR and Waves Nx, are designed to replicate how humans hear sound naturally. These tools are especially effective for creating realistic 3D audio experiences when listened to through headphones, making them ideal for music production, ASMR, and gaming.
360 Audio Tools: Plugins like the Audio Ease 360pan suite are optimized for creating audio for 360-degree content, making them perfect for VR or AR environments. These tools allow you to position sound with precision and adjust its movement in sync with visual content.
Each type of plugin serves its purpose, whether you're working on a music mix, designing game audio, or creating a fully immersive VR project. The choice of plugin largely depends on how and where your final audio will be consumed.
3D Audio Spatialization - Try Audiocube’s Spatializer for free
The best spatial audio plugins - 5 top picks
Here are some of my favorite spatial audio plugins to make immersive mixes!
Audiocube Pro - This unique standalone application gives unprecedented spatial audio control.
Facebook 360 Spatial Workstation: A suite of plugins for creating and manipulating Ambisonics audio, ideal for VR and 360-degree content.
DearVR Pro: A versatile binaural and Ambisonics plugin for crafting immersive 3D soundscapes in music, film, and gaming.
Audio Ease 360pan suite: A powerful toolset for positioning audio in 360-degree video productions, often used for VR sound design.
Sennheiser AMBEO Orbit: A free binaural panner that helps position audio sources within a 3D sound field, perfect for spatial audio projects or a Dolby Atmos Session.
THX Spatial Audio Creator: The THX Spatial Creator Plugin is a comprehensive tool for creating immersive audio for games, VR, and cinematic experiences.
How to use spatial audio plugins in your projects
Using spatial audio plugins can transform your audio projects by adding immersive depth and realism.
Learn How To Make Spatial Audio for some advanced tips!
Here's a step-by-step guide to get started:
Step 1: choosing the right spatial audio plugin
The first step is selecting the plugin that best suits your project. For music production, binaural plugins like DearVR can add a 3D element to your tracks for Apple Music Spatial Audio. If you're working on VR or 360-degree video, an Ambisonics plugin like Sennheiser AMBEO is ideal for placing sound sources in a fully immersive environment. The type of content you're creating - whether it's music, film, or game audio - will determine the most appropriate plugin for your needs.
Step 2: setting up the plugin in your DAW
Once you've chosen your plugin, the next step is to set it up in your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). Most spatial audio plugins are compatible with popular DAWs like Reaper, Pro Tools, and Logic Pro. Simply load the plugin as an insert on the track you want to spatialize. From there, you can configure the settings, such as choosing the 3D sound mode or adjusting parameters like distance and direction.
Step 3: manipulating sound sources in the 3d space
With the plugin set up, you can now manipulate your sound sources in a 3D environment. Most plugins offer a visual interface that allows you to drag sound objects around a 360-degree space, adjusting height, depth, and panning. This lets you place audio where you want it to appear in the soundscape, giving listeners the sensation of sound coming from all directions. Play around with 360-degree panning and binaural effects to achieve the most immersive result.
Step 4: exporting spatial audio files
Once your spatial mix is complete, the final step is exporting your audio in a format that's compatible with your intended platform. For streaming music, binaural audio is typically the best choice, as it translates well through headphones. If your project is for VR or gaming, you may need to export in Ambisonics or 360-degree formats, which are widely supported by platforms like YouTube and Facebook for immersive content.
Audiocube - a new spatial audio workflow
Audiocube is not just another plugin - it's a standalone 3D audio software designed to revolutionize the way you work with spatial audio.
Unlike traditional plugins, which are often restricted by the DAWs they operate within, Audiocube opens up new possibilities for sound manipulation and immersive design.
Being a self-contained software suite, Audiocube allows you to craft audio environments and workflows that are impossible to achieve with just plugins.
Audiocube gives you a fully customizable 3D studio, with realistic audio spatialization and complete freedom of movement.
Why Audiocube stands out:
3D Audio Workstation: Audiocube lets you import, spatialize, sequence, process, mix, master, and export audio, all in one place. You can fully control how sound behaves in a 3D space without relying on external tools or plugins.
Real-time Acoustic Simulation: With Audiocube, you can simulate real-world acoustic effects like reflections, occlusion, and binaural rendering HRTF, adding an extra layer of realism that plugins can't easily replicate.
Generative Music Tools: Audiocube offers generative tools that allow you to experiment with randomization, physics-based collisions, and cyclic sequencing—ideal for creating unique soundscapes and evolving audio patterns.
Spatial Automation: One of the core features is the ability to automate sound movements over time, adding dynamic movement and depth to your compositions. Whether you're working on an ambient track or a complex VR soundscape, this is a game-changer.
Custom Acoustic Environments: You can create bespoke environments with control over variables like distance attenuation and air absorption, ensuring precise sound propagation throughout your virtual space.
High-Quality Export: Audiocube also supports high-quality WAV export, meaning you can seamlessly integrate your spatial audio creations into other software or share them directly.
Audiocube simplifies the traditionally complex process of spatial audio creation while allowing for advanced sound manipulation - all in one intuitive interface.
I'm constantly listeing to user ideas to add more features and add performance improvements, so please try Audiocube for free and send in your feedback!
Powerful spatial audio effects and acoustic simulation - Try Audiocube for free!
Why a standalone spatial audio app is better than a plugin
When it comes to creating immersive audio, plugins are an accessible and popular choice. But they come with limitations inherent to their design: plugins must operate within the constraints of your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). A standalone app like Audiocube, on the other hand, offers unmatched power and flexibility. Here's why:
A) More processing power and better performance
Plugins rely on the processing power allocated by your DAW, which can create bottlenecks as your project grows in complexity. In contrast, standalone apps have direct access to your system's resources, enabling more efficient handling of complex simulations and larger projects. Audiocube leverages this independence to offer features like real-time acoustic simulations and dynamic spatial automation that plugins simply cannot achieve without compromising performance.
B) Advanced simulations beyond the scope of plugins
Learn about Audiocube’s Advanced Acoustic Simulation
The physics and algorithms behind spatial audio—like simulating realistic reflections, occlusions, or binaural effects—require significant computational resources. While plugins do their best to deliver these within a DAW's ecosystem, they often simplify calculations to avoid lag or crashes. Audiocube operates independently, providing more detailed and accurate simulations that elevate your immersive audio projects.
C) A fully integrated workflow
Standalone apps like Audiocube are purpose-built for 3D audio. This means they aren’t restricted to working within the confines of a DAW. Audiocube's ecosystem is entirely self-contained, allowing you to:
Import and sequence audio files directly.
Use specialized spatial tools to position, process, and automate sound sources.
Simulate acoustic environments with unparalleled realism.
Export professional-grade files in high-quality formats.
This streamlined approach eliminates the back-and-forth between a DAW and various plugins, saving time and unlocking new creative opportunities.
D) Freedom to innovate
Plugins are, by nature, designed to complement the DAW's existing workflow. This can be limiting if you’re looking to push boundaries or explore unconventional audio techniques. Audiocube was built from the ground up to be a creative playground, offering tools like generative audio sequencing and fully customizable 3D environments. These capabilities empower you to experiment without being tied to the constraints of traditional workflows.
Future-proof your spatial audio projects
With technology and formats evolving rapidly in immersive audio, using a standalone app ensures you're always at the cutting edge. Audiocube isn't bound by DAW-specific limitations or plugin compatibility issues, making it a future-proof solution that adapts to your needs.
By stepping outside the limitations of plugins, Audiocube transforms how you approach spatial audio. Whether you're creating immersive music, soundscapes, or VR experiences, the power and flexibility of standalone software offer a creative edge that’s simply unmatched.
Experience Audiocube today and unlock the full potential of spatial audio production!
Expand your mixes with Audiocube
Spatial audio plugins have changed the way we approach immersive sound design, offering new creative possibilities in modern audio production.
If you're looking for a more expansive workflow that breaks the boundaries of traditional plugins, Audiocube is the perfect tool.
Download Audiocube Free today and unlock a new dimension of spatial audio creation.
Try Audiocube for Free!
- ✔️ An intuitive 3D Interface
- ✔️ Natural spatialization
- ✔️ Deeper control than a VST
