In this Q&A video, I'm answering your questions about Eclipsa Audio—covering what it actually is, how it differs from Dolby Atmos, practical concerns about platform support, and why it's currently Mac-only despite being a Google/Samsung technology. I also share my honest concerns about why releasing this technology as open source so early in development might signal a lack of long-term commitment from the companies behind it.

In this follow-up to my Dolby Atmos Mastering Console review, I explore the software's incredible head tracking implementation, which supports both Apple AirPods and the Supperware head tracker with unique features like non-recentering spatial audio and direct MIDI communication that achieves the lowest latency I've ever experienced. This is hands-down the best solution currently available for monitoring Dolby Atmos through headphones, whether you're on the road or working without access to a full Atmos studio.

Today I'm exploring Fiedler Audio's revolutionary Mastering Console 2 for Dolby Atmos - a comprehensive mastering solution that combines multiple workflows into one powerful application, featuring game-changing tools like a true peak limiter that measures post-render while limiting pre-render, Apple Spatial Audio monitoring for Windows users, and the innovative OBAM plugin format for direct metadata manipulation. This bird's-eye overview showcases how the Mastering Console extends far beyond Dolby's own software capabilities, seamlessly integrating into any Atmos workflow while remaining accessible to both professionals and serious hobbyists - with detailed deep-dives on specific features coming in future videos.

In this tutorial, I walk you through the complete workflow of setting up Eclipsa Audio plugins in Reaper to create immersive audio in the IAMF format, covering everything from configuring the renderer and creating audio elements to routing tracks using both built-in and third-party Ambisonics panners. I'll demonstrate the practical process using a four-track session, showing how to work with YouTube's Base profile to create a 16-channel third-order Ambisonics environment with an additional stereo element, and finally export your project as an IAMF file ready for upload.

Dolby quietly added Apple AirPods head tracking support to the Atmos Renderer, burying this game-changing feature in a support article without any proper announcement—and it works with virtually any Apple or Beats headphones containing the H1 or H2 chip. In this video, I'll show you how to set it up, demonstrate its impressive spatial monitoring capabilities in a real mixing session, and even reveal how to use your AirPods as a head tracker for your professional studio headphones.

I'm breaking down four game-changing developments in immersive audio that have been happening behind the scenes: NovoNotes' new format support for 9.1.6 and 7.1.6 configurations, Audio Brewers' revolutionary beamforming decoder, Eclipsa Audio's open-source spatial audio plugins that finally make 3D sound accessible to everyone, and Apple's Spatial Audio Format that transforms static mixes into responsive sound environments. Each of these deserves its own deep dive tutorial which I'll be releasing over the coming weeks, plus there's another massive announcement on the horizon that could revolutionize immersive music production—but I'll have to save that for another day.

In this video, I'm kicking off a new FAQ series by answering the 10 essential questions about Ambisonics—the full-sphere surround sound technology that's become the backbone of VR, AR, and 360-degree video. From understanding the B-format and the difference between AmbiX and FuMa standards, to practical guidance on getting started with Ambisonics in your DAW and monitoring your mixes, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about this increasingly important immersive audio format.

In this video, I dive into some of the most fascinating (and frustrating) Dolby Atmos takes I've found on Reddit, tackling everything from claims that it's just a marketing gimmick to confusion about 8D music and whether you need 16 subwoofers to create an earthquake simulator. I separate fact from fiction in the world of spatial audio, explaining why immersive audio is here to stay while addressing the legitimate criticisms and misconceptions that dominate online discussions about Atmos and surround sound.

After covering the 10 most important immersive audio formats, I realized there are so many more wild and surprising stories from spatial audio's history that deserve to be told – from World War I giant mechanical ears and Disney's 1940s surround sound revolution to Pink Floyd's holophonic experiments and Lou Reed's 3D rock albums. What fascinates me most is how these pioneers were solving the same immersive audio challenges we face today, proving that humanity's obsession with realistic 3D sound has been driving innovation for over a century.

In this video, I'm counting down the 10 most influential immersive audio formats that have transformed how we experience sound in three dimensions, based on my personal experience in spatial audio production. From pioneering 1970s surround sound to today's cutting-edge object-based standards, I'll break down the technical innovations, practical applications for producers, and accessibility of each format that has shaped the immersive audio landscape.

In this follow-up video, I dive into viewer comments from my Nomono Sound Capsule review, addressing concerns about this $2,500 spatial audio podcast recording device that converts recordings to Dolby Atmos through cloud processing. While the technology is genuinely impressive—especially how it reconstructs speaker positions from audio alone—the device struggles to find its target market, sitting uncomfortably between average podcasters (too expensive) and professional users (not quite high-end enough).

When SSL released their new immersive metering plugin, I realized it was the perfect opportunity to create something more valuable: a comprehensive countdown of the top 10 metering tools for spatial audio mixing, from basic surround to full Dolby Atmos productions. This completely subjective ranking covers everything from free open-source solutions to industry-standard references, focusing on the tools that provide the best visual feedback for making informed decisions in immersive audio.

In this episode, I sat down with Tom Ammermann, founder of New Audio Technology and two-time Grammy-nominated immersive audio engineer, to explore his journey from early surround mixing to developing the Spatial Audio Designer plugin suite used on projects like Kraftwerk's Grammy-nominated album. Tom shared invaluable insights on getting started with immersive audio, explaining how his tools enable seamless workflow from laptop creation to full dome installations, and why he believes mixing in 3D formats can actually be faster and more emotional than traditional stereo production.

In this video, I explore Fiedler Audio's revolutionary new OBAM (Object Based Audio Module) standard — the first plugin format designed specifically for object-based audio that finally brings true mastering capabilities to Dolby Atmos production. I'll demonstrate how this technology works in practice using the updated Dolby Atmos Composer with OBAM-compatible plugins from Fiedler Audio and Toneboosters, showing why this could be the biggest leap forward in immersive audio production yet.

In this video, I count down my top 10 immersive audio effects plugins that will transform your Atmos and Spatial Audio mixes from flat to fully three-dimensional, showcasing tools that create genuinely convincing spatial effects with intuitive controls for professional workflows. From realistic room acoustics to revolutionary spatial workstations, I explore how these cutting-edge processors give you unprecedented control over dimension, movement, and space in your immersive productions, whether you're working in film, music, or game audio.

In this video, I review a premium binaural rendering plugin specifically designed for Neumann headphones that transforms 7.1.4 surround audio into an exceptional listening experience with customizable interaural time differences to match your head size. While the plugin carries a $100 price tag on top of the already expensive headphones, its outstanding sound quality, seamless head tracking integration, and two-week free trial make it worth considering for current Neumann owners, though those seeking more affordable solutions should explore alternatives I've previously covered on my channel.

In this video, I'm counting down my top 10 underrated immersive audio plugins that deserve more recognition, from format-agnostic mixers and intuitive mobile panners to specialized Atmos compression and free hidden gems. These are the spatial audio tools that have genuinely improved my workflow and creative possibilities over years of production work, offering incredible capabilities despite flying under the radar of mainstream attention.

In this video, I show you how to solve one of the most frustrating problems in immersive audio production: multi-channel plugins that don't work properly with your DAW. Learn how to use Kushview Element as a wrapper plugin to fix channel recognition issues and properly route audio for Dolby Atmos and other 3D audio formats.

In this video, I share 10 essential Dolby Atmos mixing tips curated from top industry professionals, complemented by my own commentary and insights to help you create better immersive mixes. From establishing proper spatial foundations to avoiding common pitfalls, these carefully selected techniques will help you create more natural-sounding Atmos mixes that effectively translate across different playback environments.

In this video, I explore APL's new Virtuoso Lite, a more affordable version of my favorite binaural renderer for immersive audio production, comparing its features side-by-side with the full version of Virtuoso. While both plugins share the same high-quality algorithms and core functionality, I'll walk you through the key differences to help you determine which version might be the right fit for your immersive audio toolbox, especially if you're working with Dolby Atmos.