A binaural panner is a specialized tool or plugin used in immersive audio production to position audio sources within a three-dimensional space, offering a realistic binaural audio experience. By applying a Head-Related Transfer Function (HRTF) to audio signals, the binaural panner simulates the way human ears perceive sound, resulting in spatialized sound perception when listened to through headphones.
This audio processing tool allows users to control the placement and movement of sound sources in a virtual soundstage. Parameters such as azimuth (horizontal angle), elevation (vertical angle), and distance are considered to achieve accurate spatialization. Unlike traditional panners designed for stereo placement, a binaural panner focuses on creating an immersive listening experience, especially effective when using headphones.
The binaural panner utilizes psychoacoustic processing to simulate arbitrary sound source positions, incorporating specialized HRTF to render lifelike and spatially accurate audio for headphone playback. This creates a 3D sound field, immersing the listener in a virtual environment.
In contrast, conventional panners primarily adjust the balance and placement of audio signals within a stereo field for playback through loudspeakers. While providing left-to-right movement, they lack the same spatial realism and 3D positioning as a binaural panner.
Stereo widening plugins, on the other hand, are used to create stereo effects and widen the stereo image. While not binaural, they can be used to enhance the perceived width of stereo sources.
Some Examples:
dearVR MICRO is a free 3D binaural panner plugin offered by Dear Reality. It allows for full 360° binaural panning for mono and stereo input sources, providing a range of creative mixing possibilities in a three-dimensional space.
3DX by NovoNotes is a binaural panner and a spatial audio processor. It integrates the functions necessary for 3D sound production, including 3D panning, binaural processing, and ambisonics, in a single plug-in.
Brightness Panner by Plugin Boutique, is not a traditional binaural panner. It allows users to move sounds dynamically in various reproduction formats, including stereo, surround 5.1, and 7.1
