Ambisonics Software
IEM Plug-in Suite (free)
The IEM Plug-in Suite is a freely available and open-source audio plugin suite that encompasses Ambisonic plugins up to 7th order. Developed by staff and students of the Institute of Electronic Music and Acoustics, this suite comprises six plugins, each offering specific tools for working with Ambisonic audio. Notable plugins include the ProbeDecoder for analyzing and decoding Ambisonic signals, the RoomEncoder for simulating virtual room environments, the MultiBandCompressor for multiband compression of Ambisonic signals, the GranularEncoder for Ambisonic granular synthesis, the StereoEncoder for encoding mono or stereo audio signals into the Ambisonic format, and the SpherePanner for positioning audio sources within a spherical sound field.
macOS| Windows|Linux
dearVR PRO (paid)
dearVR PRO by dear reality is the all-in-one spatializing solution for professional audio productions offering state-of-the-art binaural, Ambisonics, and 26 multi-channel loudspeaker output formats up to 9.1.6.
The dearVR VHSP technology combines the ultra-realistic room and distance simulation with the groundbreaking virtual height speaker perception for 5.1 and 7.1 setups.
dearVR MUSIC (Paid)
dearVR MUSIC by dear reality renders high-quality 3D audio for the most common immersive audio productions.
Use the binaural output to listen to your mixes in mind-blowing 3D audio on any earbuds and headphones. The 4-channel Ambisonics format outputs spatial audio for YouTube 360° video soundtracks.
You can also use dearVR MUSIC’s beautiful virtual environments as conventional reverbs in stereo format, doubling their music production usefulness.
aXBundle (paid)
The AX Bundle by Martinic is a collection of virtual instrument and virtual effect audio plugins for macOS and Windows. It functions as a VST Plugin, an Audio Units Plugin, and an AAX Plugin. The bundle includes aXPanner, a mono/stereo encoder to Ambisonics, and aXMonitor, a decoder to binaural or stereo to listen to Ambisonic sound scenes.
Windows VST | Windows AAX | Mac
The Ambisonic Toolkit (free)
The Ambisonic Toolkit (ATK) brings together a number of classic and novel tools for the artist working with Ambisonic surround sound. The toolset is intended to be both ergonomic and comprehensive, framed so that the user is enabled to ‘think Ambisonic’.
ATK for Reaper | ATK for SuperColldier
B360 Ambisonics Encoder (paid)
The B360 Ambisonics Encoder serves as a plugin tailored for the widely adopted Ambisonics B-format. Its primary function is to convert mono, stereo, and surround tracks into 1st-order Ambisonics B-format, allowing precise placement of audio elements in a 360° audio mix. The plugin provides controls for width, elevation, and rotation, ensuring a seamless integration into traditional mixing workflows.
Windows VST | Windows AAX | Mac
ICST Ambisonics Plugins (free)
ICST Ambisonics Plugins are versatile audio plugins designed for creating ambisonics content. These plugins allow spatialization of up to 64 audio sources simultaneously, with playback capabilities on up to 64 speakers. With an interactive graphical view of the radar, users can record positioning information through the user interface or OSC. Plugins make stage choreography easier by allowing grouping of sound sources, and the latest version expands this capability to eight groups. Additionally, OSC data can be scaled with user-defined parameters or preprocessed using JavaScript snippets. Plugins offer optional features such as distance coding and Doppler effect to optimize spatial perception, adapting to different acoustic conditions.
Windows VST3 | Windows AU | Mac| Linux
Binaural Surround (paid)
Binaural Surround by Blue Ripple Sound This plugin takes a surround mix prepared for a 5.1 system and converts it to binaural to be listened to on headphones.
The 3D aspects of the stereo are synthesised using HRTF data. This models how sound from different directions is changed as it passes around the head.
Windows VST2 | Windows AAX | Mac
E4L Envelope (free)
E4L by Envelop for Live is a collection of free, open-source immersive audio production tools that work with Ableton Live Suite. E4L creates an open and accessible path for artists and producers to create immersive music for Envelop listening spaces, DIY multichannel audio environments, as well as headphone-based VR/AR applications.
Natasha:Binaural Ambience Modeling (paid)
Natasha by Audio Fusion is a binaural environment modeling plug-in. Inspired by a binaural microphone built in our studio and also in one of our rooms.
SoundObject (free)
SoundObject by suzumushi creates a binaural sound with the senses of three-dimensional sound localization from a monaural acoustic source and its positional information. It supports headphones-based as well as stereo speakers-based 3D spatial sound. Furthermore, it could also support headphones monitoring of stereo speakers sound.
3DX (Paid)
3DX by novo notes realizes the highest sound quality and enables sound field expression beyond the real world. By integrating the functions necessary for 3D sound production such as 3D panning, binaural and ambisonic into a single plug-in, it provides a sophisticated production workflow.
Anaglyph (free)
Anaglyph is part of an ongoing research effort into the perceptual and technical capabilities of binaural rendering. This audio plugin was designed both to support ongoing research efforts as well as to make accessible the fruits of this research to audio engineers working in DAW environments. Amongst its features, Anaglyph includes a personalizable morphological ITD model, near-field ILD corrections and HRTF parallax selection, a localisation enhancer, an externalisation booster, and multiple HRTF support via the SOFA file format.
++binaural (paid)
++binaural by soundhack is a filter which places a sound at a specific position around the listener’s head. It does this by using filters which simulate the filtering effect of the head and outer ear for sounds at all angles. The filters in ++binaural are optimized for headphones and are only for 0 degree elevation at a 44100 sample rate. Future versions of ++binaural will contain multiple elevations and sample rates.
Spatial Audio Designer (paid)
The Spatial Audio Designer (SAD) by new audio technology is the market’s leading audio plug-in for creating and monitoring next-generation immersive audio.
Formats like 5.1, 7.1, Dolby Atmos 7.1.2 to 9.1.6, AURO-3D, MPEG-H, IMAX 3D and 22.2 are just a mouse-click away with the SAD. Use it to create and export multi-format mixes for custom configurations such as those in planetariums or other installations.
Ambeo Orbit v1.0.1 (free)
Sennheiser’s AMBEO Orbit plug-in was a plug-in that allowed audio manipulation within 3D space, taking advantage of advanced HRTF filters based on the NEUMANN KU100 dummy head. It allowed creators to precisely position and move sound sources across spatial dimensions, improving spatialization and spectral balance in audio mixes. However, now obsolete and unsupported, Sennheiser recommends transitioning to dearVR MICRO, a successor that offers intuitive control over mono and stereo sources, along with advanced settings for spatial placement, signal clarity and realistic room reflections, ultimately enriching the process of creating immersive audio.
Nx – Virtual Mix Room (paid)
The Waves brand plugin, Nx Virtual Mix Room, this plugin virtually creates a 3D acoustic environment, simulating the perfect control room equipped with correction EQ curves designed for over 270 headphone models. The result? You experience mixing as if using top-notch speakers in an ideal listening environment.
Monitor stereo, surround, and Ambisonics B-format with precision
Tailor speaker placement and room ambience to your preferences
Access EQ correction curves for a vast range of over 270 headphone models.
The Nx Virtual Mix Room plugin by Waves utilizes binaural technology as part of its functionality.
Brightness Panner Plugin
The Brightness Panner is an audio plugin developed by Sound Particles that is designed to change the way sound is perceived in space. It enriches mixes by spreading sound around the listener, making panning easier by applying movement to sounds using Brightness analysis. It is considered a binaural panner because it supports both stereo and surround panning, injecting interest and movement into mono, stereo, or surround sources, thus creating a more immersive and spatial audio experience
