You hear a tropical woodpecker off in the distance to your right, and turn your head.
Now its in front of you.
Its like youre really there.
Portal
You just imaginedPortal, an app that answers the question, Whats the point of Spatial Audio?
Apples 3D immersive audio trickery really is impressive, but who wants to listen to music like that?
The surround sound effect was impressive, and the audio was top notch, high-quality stuff.
Portal
But it wasnt until I started to move my head that I got the full effect.
The hooting owl in the distance to my right really feels like its off to the right.
But even that wasnt the odd part.
Portal
Soon after starting up the soundscape (Redwood National Park), I felt more relaxed.
It seems that even though you consciously know youre being tricked, your brain doesnt care.
It just starts acting like you really are in a forestminus the constant stress about mosquitos.
Portal
It’s more than just recreating the sound, visuals, and lighting of these amazing locations.
This included redesigning not only the app, but also the recording production.
Portal commissionedAmbisonic Spatial Audio specialist Atmokyto help, and made new recordings to exploit the tech.
Its not just sound, either.
Spatial Audio seems like a gimmick for music.
Its more like a background layer now.
Then again, perhaps Apple is onto something.
Imagine a Spatial Audio version of Brian EnosAmbient Music for Airports.
Useful
There are other uses for Spatial Audio, too.
And imagine spatial augmented reality.
Apple is all-in on audio AR, with all kinds of ambient notifications using AirPods.
What if Siri were located in virtual space?
Get an iMessage in an old European church?
It would reverberate like any real voice would.
I think its going to be big.
