3D Audio is Integrating With Virtual Reality for Totally Immersive Experiences
Binaural audio (or 3D audio) has been around for a while. The basic idea is that two microphones are used to record an audio source. They are placed ear-distance apart (that is, the distance between two ears on your average head) and the audio they record gives the user a sensation of feeling present in the recording space. Rather than hearing or just listening to sounds, you might feel as though your are authentically experiencing them. Watch the video above to get an idea of what this is like.
3D audio offers a more expansive experience than its visual counterpart. “Unlike with the visuals, 3D audio is not limited to the field of view of the display and can be rendered to give a ‘complete 360-degree’ experience,” says Marks. “One of the biggest challenges for VR design is that the user can look in any direction, and may not even be looking when something momentous occurs. But using a 3D audio cue, it is possible to steer the user’s attention to look in the direction of the sound, similar to techniques that are used in live theater.”
The demo videos are cool and all, but the most exciting use for this will be videogames. The latest VR headsets are really good at immersing yourself into a world visually, but binaural audio is almost moreimpressive. The sensation of experiencing binaurally recorded conversation is incredible, but add this audio technique to a VR horror game and you’re guaranteed some nightmares.
Adafruit publishes a wide range of writing and video content, including interviews and reporting on the maker market and the wider technology world. Our standards page is intended as a guide to best practices that Adafruit uses, as well as an outline of the ethical standards Adafruit aspires to. While Adafruit is not an independent journalistic institution, Adafruit strives to be a fair, informative, and positive voice within the community – check it out here: adafruit.com/editorialstandards
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat and our Discord!
Python for Microcontrollers – Adafruit Daily — Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter: CircuitPython 2025 Wraps, Focus on Using Python, Open Source and More! #CircuitPython #Python #micropython @ThePSF @Raspberry_Pi
EYE on NPI – Adafruit Daily — EYE on NPI Maxim’s Himalaya uSLIC Step-Down Power Module #EyeOnNPI @maximintegrated @digikey
