Dive into a World of Immersive Sound

This practice-based research project, led by Deputy Head of Popular Music, Dr Stuart McCallum, in collaboration with D&B Audiotechnik and Submarine Pickups, explored the creative potential of immersive audio in live performance.

Centred on a performance by alt-folk duo The Breath, the project examined the bi-directional relationship between performer and technology, focusing on how immersive audio shapes artistic expression. It featured D&B Audiotechnik’s Soundscape system, which creates a 360-degree surround sound environment with performers and the audience in the round, and Submarine Pickups’ innovative SubSix guitar pickup, allowing individual string outputs to be processed in 3D sound.

The project redefined live music experiences through cutting-edge sonic experimentation, resulting in three key outputs: a live concert by The Breath at New Century Hall during the English Folk Expo and Manchester Folk Festival, a multi-camera Dolby Atmos video of the performance, and a Virtual Reality concert video allowing an immersive on-stage experience.

This practice-based PhD research project by GRAMMY-winning producer and engineer, Hans Martin-Buff (Prince, Peter Gabriel) explores how immersive audio influences and guides the creative process in popular music.

The project aims to inspire artists to embrace the unique possibilities of 3D audio by developing a universally applicable approach to incorporating immersive tools into creative workflows.

By generating a creative starter set for 3D audio arrangement, instrumentation, and composition, the project encourages musicians and writers to experiment with creating in immersive environments.

The resulting work will culminate in an album showcasing compelling examples of Popular Music beyond traditional stereo formats, designed to engage both Popular Music artists and audiences with the potential of immersive audio.

This album, Fractals, by Popular Music Creative Multi-Specialist, Sam Vicary (Cinematic Orchestra, Gott Street Park), explores ambient compositions inspired by binaural beats and oscillatory patterns, emphasising texture and timbre.

By blending natural sounds, instrumental improvisation, and audio manipulation, the music creates a rich, immersive experience.

Mixed in 3rd-order ambisonics, the tracks in the album are optimised for headphone listening, offering a deeply engaging auditory journey.

℗ 2023 E2 Music
Released on: 2023-05-26
Mixing Engineer: Sam Vicary
Mastering Engineer: Matt Barnard
Music Publisher: E2 Music Publishing
Music Publisher: Sentric