Sound builds a soundscape e.g., birds twittering outside your window, hum of your computer, your family members laughing, or a bubbling stream from a nearby mountain stream. These sounds can be produced in VR using the built-in 5.1 audio rendering system.

 

Recording and mixing VR audio

Localized sounds assigned to the respective objects in the scene using the default settings, and the listener was supposed to be at the dummy head position. Hence, the sounds were spatialized (enables to hear three-dimensional audio), it adjusts the left and right ear channels based on the angle between the listener and the source. The footstep sounds positioned respectively in space by assigning them to the right and left foot of the avatar.

The setup conducted in a closed laboratory room with no background noise, except for the constant rustle of the air condition, which suppressed by the noise-cancelling headphones.

To recreate an immersive sound field, multiple loudspeakers used and placed all around the avatar’s head. A large array of loudspeakers can used to reproduce complex sound scenes with sound sources located all around the avatar. This achieved by extending the techniques used in stereo recording and playback.

 

“VR audio applies spatial sound and binaural recording
with Ambisonics technique.”

 

Technically, VR audio is binaural, as different audio signal is supplied to each ear in order to create the perception of a three-dimensional sound field. What needed for cinematic VR is a method of capturing panoramic three-dimensional sound. A way of mixing and reproducing that sound independently of listening position and speaker setup. Remarkably, this started with Ambisonics technique in 1970s. Ambisonics is a full-sphere surround-sound format and works on three side channels to capture positional information in three dimensions. Higher level Ambisonics use more side channels for enhanced system accuracy.

 

How sound can surround the listener in virtual reality technology

To ensure fully immersion in VR systems, the spatial sounds need to match the spatial features of images–as you see a car moving away from you in the VR environment, you will also feel to hear the car moving away from you.

As explained by Windows, spatial sound is an enhanced immersive audio experience where sounds can flow around you, including above your head in three-dimensional virtual space.  This delivers an enhanced atmosphere which conventional surround sound formats cannot. Spatial audio technique also known as 3D audio made for the listener to recognize the sound coming from any desired position.

 

New listening experience

Sound is not just a cue that can used to look in a certain direction. In this new trend, you can hear certain sounds all around you.

 

The last point

VR audio is close to achieve accuracy, matching visuals with corresponding sounds. The next step will be exploring sensational new techniques during post-production to control the full range of VR audio.

Advances in VR audio are going to be vital tools to drive innovative experience. Every innovation in technology founded on this principle. This VR technology is accelerating, will go a long way that could potentially become the norm for audio production and will help shape the industry in the years to come.