Designing Spatial Sound: Adapting Contemporary Screen Sound Design Practices for Virtual Reality

The introduction of 360° film and Virtual Reality has meant practitioners have had to adapt to a multitude of new platforms and specifications, with no existing pathways or working methodologies. Audio for Virtual Reality is continually being redefined, with contemporary film sound practices having to adapt to new forms of audio spatialisation and headphone delivery. The variations in virtual reality platforms also necessitates different delivery requirements, with the audio often a secondary consideration. Sound designers and editors are either delivering a non-spatial soundtrack, or they are having to adapt to various spatial plugins and/or game engine platforms in the creation of a cohesive spatial soundtrack. This paper will examine and discuss the current state of sound for Virtual Reality from a creative practice perspective.

Published

2015-07

Content type

Original Research

Keywords

Sound Design, Virtual Reality, Virtual Reality Sound, 360°, Film Sound, VR, VR Sound, Immersive Sound, Immersive Audio, Game Sound, Game Audio, Binaural, Ambisonics, HMD, Interactive Film

DOI

10.5594/M001749

ISBN

978-1-61482-958-4