Within last week’s blog, i went into detail about the history of surround sound, its inception, uses and its benefits. For this week I will continue my journey with research on audio immersion.
The newest of the new technology in surround sound, Dolby Atmos is a leading multichannel audio technology that was introduced in 2012. It revolutionised cinema audio by adding height channels to the mix which created a three-dimensional soundstage, unlike traditional channel based audio systems where sounds are assigned to specific speakers. With Dolby Atmos, sounds are treated as objects that can move freely around the listener. This revolutionary approach unlocks a new level of immersion for the audience as sounds can originate from above, below, and all around, creating a lifelike audio environment that mirrors real life perception.
Immersive audio like this is not just limited to cinemas, Dolby Atmos has rapidly expanded across various entertainment services. Today, it is not uncommon to find Dolby Atmos in your home cinema systems, headphones and if you are a producer, in your DAW’s which brings the experience into the comfort of our own homes.
On top of Dolby Atmos there are multiple other multichannel systems including DTS:X, Auro-3D, Sony 360 Reality Audio and THX Spatial Audio. All of these multichannel audio solutions cater to different applications, and offer varying levels of immersion and spatial accuracy. Each technology has its unique features and benefits, providing options for consumers and professionals seeking high-quality audio experiences.
As technology continues to evolve, the possibilities for immersive audio are endless. From live concerts streamed in Dolby Atmos to personalised audio experiences tailored to individual preferences, the future holds lots of opportunities to utilise this incredible sound system.
Morrison, Geoffrey. “Surrounded by Woods all around: Dolby Atmos explained”. CNET. Archived from the original on 2020-01-21. Retrieved 2020-01-21.