How do audio engineers develop an expertise in surround mixing and what are the elements that characterise a great immersive mix? David Davies speaks with the best ears in the business to discover more.
Along with 4K and HDR, the rise of immersive audio – led by Dolby Atmos and MPEG-H – has been one of the defining production technology stories of the past decade. From cinema releases and streaming series mixed in Dolby Atmos, to installations and live events being enhanced with different configurations delivered in multiple formats, audio is an increasingly immersive endeavour across application types.
Identifying a tipping point for a technology is not always easy, but in this case, one can pinpoint the mass availability of immersive audio music, via sites such as Apple Music and Tidal, as an important moment. But despite the increasing footprint of surround music in both professional and consumer domains, it’s arguable that – in relative terms – immersive audio mixing is still in its infancy as regards ‘standard practices’ and a commonly-shared notion of what constitutes a ‘great immersive mix’...
You are not signed in
Only registered users can read the rest of this article.
Spatial computing: “Instead of showing people a story, you’re letting them inhabit it”
Leveraging generative AI, computer vision, and data from real environments, spatial computing has opened the door for cutting-edge systems that blend the physical and digital worlds into a new frontier of human-technology interaction.
NAB preview: Automation, reinvention and politics to steal the show
NAB 2026 looks set to bring a raft of creativity and technological innovation, yet serious political and environmental questions remain.
How vertical video became the new frontline for live sports
Live sports entertainment remains the most powerful driver of real-time engagement in media, but the format through which it’s delivered is rapidly evolving.
From green screen to Unreal worlds: The tech stack driving virtual production
As broadcasters and content creators embrace in-camera VFX and data-driven workflows, a new technology stack is redefining what can be achieved on set and who can afford to achieve it. Framestore’s Connor Ling explores the possibilities of this evolving ecosystem.
Software studios: How inevitable is fully software-defined production?
With the rise of free, high-quality media tools, physical broadcast production hardware is looking less and less essential. IBC365 investigates.
