It’s never been easier to make music in spatial audio. With the integration of Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound technology, 360 Reality Audio into the BandLab platform, it’s now possible to achieve results that once demanded top-tier studio gear – and you can do it using just a pair of headphones, a smartphone, and some imagination.
At the same time, a spatial mix is different to a stereo production, and getting the best results requires both practice and learning some new techniques. Here are a few essential tips and tricks to maximize the impact of spatial audio in your music.
Lock in the centre
While some listeners note that spatial audio can feel different from the punchy impact of a classic stereo mix, it actually opens up exciting new possibilities. With the right approach, it’s absolutely possible to create bold, hard-hitting productions that still maintain the magic of spatial audio.
If you’re adding your own audio to a 360 Reality Audio beat, a good rule is to keep the core elements of your song – like the vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, or percussion – firmly in the centre instead of panning off to the side.
Another effective trick is to reinforce the bass simply by doubling the kick drum. Load up Drum Machine and record a MIDI kick in time with the 360 Reality Audio beat you’re using. This will strengthen the pulse of your track and help keep the 360 Reality Audio mix nice and punchy.
Reverb can add space to non-spatial tracks
You can easily combine your own audio with a 360 Reality Audio beat and then export a 360 Reality Audio mix on BandLab. When adding new musical elements, it’s important to give your audio extra spaciousness so that everything sits well together in the mix. Reverb is the number one way to expand the sound of an instrument, and the Space Maker reverb is a great place to start.
If you want to go deeper, it’s worth considering how reverb and EQ can work together to make something feel closer or further away. A short room or chamber reverb, coupled with the Brighter One Knob EQ, will make your instruments feel close and intimate. On the other end, you could use a large hall or church reverb and the EQ3-M equalizer to cut down some of the high frequencies. This darker sound will make things feel further away and more ambient.
Less is more
360 Reality Audio offers a huge boost in clarity and instrument separation when mixing, and this actually takes some getting used to if you’re coming from stereo. The good news is that mixing actually gets a bit easier.
In stereo, compression and EQ are essential if you want your vocals to be heard over the guitar or your bass to stand out from the drums. In 360 Reality Audio, you can afford to have a more delicate touch – using dynamics and frequency plugins to control the tone and character of your sound, or even as creative effects.
Get the feeling right
When a song becomes a spatial environment, listeners get sucked into the story. The real power of spatial audio is its ability to deepen the emotional impact of music and offer fans something that feels alive and vital. As a songwriter and producer, you need to think carefully about what space you’re putting the listener in, and to make sure that this links up with the lyrical themes, energy, and vibe of your song.
For example, an uplifting, high-energy EDM track is perfect for a dynamic 360 Reality Audio mix with lots of detail surrounding the listener. By contrast, a slick R&B track is all about the atmosphere – you want the listener to feel enveloped in the mood, and not to be distracted by too much movement.
If you use the right spatial audio techniques to match the spirit of your song, the results will speak for themselves.
Mastering
Mastering is essential if you want your song to sound polished, professional, and attention-grabbing — and this is all still true when working in spatial audio.
So, if you’ve combined a 360 Reality Audio beat with some of your own audio recordings or MIDI performance, it’s really important to spend some time exploring BandLab Studio’s Mastering presets before you publish your track.
Whether you want to add some overall compression, bring out the highs with EQ, or use tape emulation to get a vintage sound, these presets will help to glue together all the musical elements – both 360 Reality Audio and stereo — into one rock-solid song.
About the Author: Clovis McEvoy is an award-winning composer and writer. He is currently an Affiliate Researcher at the University of Greenwich, London, investigating spatial audio and immersive media.
