Spatial audio, immersive audio, and 3D sound explained

The world of audio has evolved rapidly in recent years, and with that has come a wave of new technologies designed to enhance the listening experience. Terms like spatial audio, immersive audio, and 3D audio are becoming increasingly prevalent in discussions around music, film, and gaming. But what exactly do these concepts mean? How do they differ from one another, and how are they shaping the future of sound design? In this article, we’ll explore what spatial audio is, how it differs from 3D and immersive audio, and its applications in various media.

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What is spatial audio?

Spatial audio is an approach to sound that builds on more traditional surround sound formats – like 5.1 – and adds a new layer of realism and depth to the listening experience. Unlike traditional stereo sound, which delivers audio through two channels – left and right – spatial audio creates a sense of three-dimensional space. This allows listeners to perceive sounds coming from all directions – not just front-to-back and side-to-side, but also above and below – as if they were part of the surrounding environment.

Imagine being in a crowded restaurant. You can hear voices from every angle, the clink of glasses behind you, maybe music playing overhead. Spatial audio is a set of underlying technologies that allow audio engineers to replicate this natural, immersive sound experience. It’s not confined to just music; spatial audio enhances the experience in film, gaming, podcasts, and more.

But what’s the meaning of spatial audio in a technical sense? It’s all about using advanced algorithms and audio techniques, like head-related transfer functions – HRTF – or object-based mixing engines, to more flexibly position sounds in 3D space around the listener.

Object-based audio lets each sound element act as its own "object." Metadata – like an X, Y, Z coordinate system – tells the system where that object should be placed in 3D space. This creates more flexible and immersive sound experiences, since audio can be adjusted depending on the playback setup or listener's position.

HRTFs on the other hand describe how sound changes as it interacts with a listener's head, ears, and torso before reaching the eardrum. They allow audio to be spatialized in any set of headphones, giving the perception of 3D sound by simulating how sounds arrive from different directions.

Spatial audio vs. 3D audio: Are they the same?

A common question that arises when discussing these concepts is, “Are 3D audio and spatial audio the same?” The answer is nuanced. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they aren’t exactly synonymous.

3D audio may often refer to any audio playback technology that is capable of giving the impression of three-dimensional space. This includes sounds coming from in front, behind, above, or below the listener. In this sense, 3D audio is more of a broad concept that encompasses spatial audio as one method of achieving immersive sound.

However, spatial audio more typically refers to a set of underlying technologies that enable 3D audio, like Dolby Atmos, THX Spatial Creator, or Sony 360 Reality Audio – to name a few. While 3D audio is a general term for any sound reproduction technique that creates spatial perception, spatial audio can be thought of as a more refined, product-specific application of the broader concept of 3D sound.

What is immersive audio?

Immersive sound – or audio – is another important term to define. Immersive audio refers to a sound experience that surrounds the listener, creating a sense of depth and space. It gives the impression that sound is coming from all around, including above and below, making the audio more engaging and lifelike.

The audio technology used to create immersive audio experiences often uses multi-channel setups or object-based mixing, which allows sounds to be precisely positioned in a 3D space. This can be experienced in formats like Dolby Atmos, however immersive audio can also be experienced in headphones by using other spatial mixing technologies.

By mimicking how we naturally hear sounds in the real world, immersive audio enhances experiences in music, gaming, film, and virtual environments, drawing listeners deeper into the audio landscape.

So, to recap, most of the time:

• Immersive audio refers to the experience of the listener
• Spatial audio refers to the technologies utilized in creating immersive audio
• And 3D audio refers to the playback systems that enable immersive experiences

That said, there’s plenty of overlap between these terms, and many people use them interchangeably.

Applications in music, film, and gaming

Music

In the world of music production, spatial audio offers new creative possibilities for artists and producers. No longer confined to two speakers, they can craft songs where instruments and vocals exist in a 3D space. For example, a vocal track might seem to be positioned right in front of you, while synths float overhead, and reverbs and delays trail off behind you.

Platforms like Apple Music and Tidal are already supporting spatial audio, giving listeners an enriched experience with tracks specifically mixed for this format. Meanwhile, mixes created with THX Spatial Creator can be experienced on any platform and any pair of headphones. Whatever the method, artists are using spatial audio to create more immersive music, with greater emotional impact and depth, where every instrument has its own space in the mix.

Film

Since the release of Brave in 2012, spatial and immersive audio have become essential in modern filmmaking, particularly with formats like Dolby Atmos. These technologies allow sound designers to place audio objects dynamically within a 3D space, which dramatically enhances the storytelling experience.

For filmmakers, spatial audio means more than just effects. It enables richer narrative experiences by carefully positioning sound to guide the viewer's attention. Imagine the roar of dragons overhead in a fantasy movie – that’s the power of spatial sound.

Gaming

Gaming has arguably seen the most widespread adoption of 3D sound. In games, audio plays a critical role in immersion, helping players locate enemies, navigate environments, and feel the atmosphere of a game world. Whether you're playing a first-person shooter or exploring an open-world RPG, spatial audio heightens the realism of the experience by placing sounds in specific locations around you.

Spatial audio in gaming is more than just a technical upgrade – it’s a key component of gameplay. For instance, in games like Fortnite or Call of Duty, the ability to hear the direction of gunfire or approaching footsteps can be a matter of survival. Spatial sound makes these experiences more intense and engaging, giving players a tactical edge.

How spatial audio enhances the future of sound design

The future of sound design almost inevitably includes more immersive experiences. As more industries embrace spatial and immersive audio, we can expect widespread changes in how we experience media.

In music, spatial audio seems to be here to stay, with major platforms investing heavily in it and more artists mixing their tracks to take full advantage of this technology. In cinema, immersive audio will continue to push the boundaries of storytelling, creating worlds that audiences feel they are truly a part of. And in gaming, 3D audio will remain an integral feature of next-gen consoles and virtual reality systems, shaping how players experience their virtual worlds.

As spatial audio becomes more accessible, with tools like the THX Spatial Creator plugin, and Dolby Atmos support in an increasing number of audio workstations, audio professionals and hobbyists alike can produce high-quality 3D mixes without needing a cost-prohibitive setup. These tools democratize spatial sound, making it easier for everyone to experiment with creating immersive soundscapes.

How to create spatial audio at home

Now that we've explored the possibilities of spatial audio, you might be wondering how to create these immersive soundscapes in your own music or sound design projects. Fortunately, the process is simpler than ever.

One popular method is to use plugins, like THX Spatial Creator, within your digital audio workstation. You’ll also find an increasing number of DAWs that support Atmos natively, including Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Studio One, Nuendo, Cubase, and more. These tools allow you to position sounds in a virtual 3D space. They use HRTF technology to simulate how our ears determine directionality, adding realistic reflections and spatial cues.

To get started with creating spatial sound:

1. Use headphones: While spatial audio can be experienced on speaker setups, headphones are the most affordable entry into 3D audio – and one which you’ll find a great many listeners also use.
2. Position audio in 3D space: Plugins like THX Spatial Creator let you place individual sound elements in specific positions. For example, a background vocals could be placed to the sides, while lead vocals stay centered, and background effects swirl overhead.
3. Experiment with motion: Many spatial audio tools allow you to add movement to sound. A sound could start behind you and move forward, or pan across the listener’s head from one side to the other.
4. Check on speakers: If you’re mixing in Atmos, once you’re happy with your spatial mix in headphones it’s really worth finding a local studio with a 7.1.4 – or similar – speaker setup and hiring it out for a day or so to check your mixes and ensure you’re happy with translation.

For example, here’s a mix I took from stereo to immersive using the THX Spatial Creator.

Creating your own immersive audio projects is easier than ever before, and it opens up a new world of creative potential.

Start using spatial audio in your mixes

Spatial audio, immersive audio, and 3D sound are reshaping how we experience music, movies, and games. In the right hands, these technologies bring sound to life, creating a richer, more engaging experience by adding space and dimension. Whether you're an musical artist, filmmaker, or game sound designer, understanding and leveraging the power of spatial audio can elevate your creative projects and captivate your audience in ways not previously possible.

As spatial audio becomes more mainstream, the possibilities for its use will only grow. The future of sound is multidimensional – and it's already here. Have fun, and happy immersion.
 

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