Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner

The Biggest Innovation in Dolby Atmos Since Dolby Atmos

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.

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Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner

Top 10 Immersive Audio Plugins for Professional Spatial Mixing

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.

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Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner

A Review of Neumann's RIME Plugin: Is It Worth the Extra Cost?

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.

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General Topics Michael G Wagner General Topics Michael G Wagner

Top 10 Binaural Panning Plugins for Immersive Headphone Mixes

In this video, I count down the 10 most interesting binaural panning plugins that will transform your headphone mixes from flat to immersive, covering options for every budget from completely free tools to professional-grade solutions. My selections create genuinely convincing 3D spatial effects over headphones using technologies like HRTF processing, psychoacoustic tricks, and motion sequencing, with each offering unique approaches to help you create more engaging and realistic audio experiences for your listeners.

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General Topics Michael G Wagner General Topics Michael G Wagner

ARIA Studio: Compensating for Hearing Loss in Audio Production

In this video, I explore ARIA Studio by Altitude Audio, a revolutionary software that creates personalized audio profiles based on your hearing test results, compensating for specific hearing loss patterns to deliver a more balanced listening experience. What impressed me most was how accurately it corrects audio across both headphones and speakers, making it an invaluable tool for audio professionals with hearing loss while remaining accessible for anyone wanting to optimize their listening experience.

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Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner

Top 10 Underrated Immersive Audio Plugins You Need in Your Toolkit

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.

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Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner

Virtuoso Lite Plugin Review: A More Affordable Binaural Rendering Solution

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.

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Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner

Is the Waves Immersive Wrapper Worth $250? An Honest Plugin Review

In this video, I take a hands-on look at the new Waves Immersive Wrapper plugin, which transforms Waves mono plugins into multi-channel tools for immersive audio production with flexible grouping, powerful sidechaining, and seamless integration between bed tracks and objects in Dolby Atmos. I'll demonstrate its innovative features and user-friendly interface by creating a practical workflow example in Reaper, showing how it can be integrated into both professional and hobbyist immersive audio production environments.

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Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner

Create Perfect Immersive Audio from Stereo in Minutes

In this video, I demonstrate how to use INU (Immersive Nulling Up-mixer), a powerful and affordable plugin that converts stereo tracks into multichannel mixes for Dolby Atmos while preserving the original stereo fold-down. I'll walk you through the complete setup process in Reaper and show you how to use INU's features to manipulate direct and diffuse signals, control LFE and center channels, and adjust height and spatial positioning in your mix.

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Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner

Headitude: The Best Head Tracking Solution for Audio Production?

In this video, I demonstrate how to set up and use Headitude, a free macOS application that captures head tracking data from Apple AirPods and guides you through integration with both Dolby Atmos Renderer and Cubase/Nuendo. I explain the unique features of Headitude, including its position maintenance and flexible OSC message formatting, while showing how Windows users can benefit from this setup by using an Apple Silicon Mac as an audio interface.

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Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner

Stemcell 2: Game-Changing Spectral Multichannel Ducking Plugin (Unless You Use Reaper)

In this review, I examine Stemcell 2, a multi-channel stem processor from The Cargo Cult that offers unique spectral ducking capabilities but suffers from significant limitations in Reaper due to its automatic channel layout detection inherited from its Pro Tools origins. While the plugin shines in DAWs like Studio One and could be valuable for film and TV audio work, its high price point and compatibility issues make it worth testing thoroughly before purchase, with Reaper users potentially better served by alternatives from Waves or PSP AudioWare.

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Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner

I Couldn't Tell Reality from Virtual Mixing Studio | Sony 360 VME Review

In this video, I explore Sony's revolutionary 360 Virtual Mixing Environment (360 VME), a system that creates a personalized virtual studio experience through headphones by precisely matching your individual ear and head geometry, taking you through the sophisticated measurement process, software setup, and real-world applications, particularly in educational settings.

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Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner Immersive Audio Michael G Wagner

Virtuoso 2: The Swiss Army Knife for Binaural Audio Got an Update

In this video, I dive into the exciting new features of Virtuoso 2, the latest update to APL's popular binaural rendering plugin. From new HRTFs and enhanced head tracking to a customizable EQ and the ability to play Dolby Atmos master files in the standalone version, I'll guide you through the key improvements and discuss their potential impact on your audio workflow.

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General Topics Michael G Wagner General Topics Michael G Wagner

AB Chorus: The Game-Changing Audio Plugin That's Not For Everyone

In this video, I dive into AB Chorus, Audio Brewers' latest immersive chorus plugin, exploring its capabilities across various audio formats and its creative potential in immersive audio production. I'll break down who this powerful but complex tool is perfect for and who might want to look elsewhere, helping you decide if it's the right investment for your audio toolkit.

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