Apple Music introduces spatial audio feature
Introduction
Apple Music has recently introduced a new feature called spatial audio, which has created a buzz in the streaming audio industry. It promises to bring a new level of immersive experience to music listeners, which is achieved by creating a 3D audio effect that simulates surround sound. In this article, we will delve into the details of this new feature, how it works and how it compares with other audio technologies.
What is spatial audio?
Spatial audio is a technology that creates a 3D sound field that simulates surround sound. Instead of the traditional stereo sound, which only delivers left and right channels, spatial audio adds height, depth and width to the sound field. This creates a more immersive experience, where the sound seems to come from different directions, just like it would in a real-life scenario.
Spatial audio uses a combination of software and hardware to create this 3D audio effect. The software applies advanced algorithms to simulate the sound field, while the hardware (in this case, Apple's AirPods and some other headphones) uses built-in sensors to track the motion of the listener's head. Thus, the sound changes as the listener moves his head, creating a more realistic experience.
How does spatial audio work in Apple Music?
Spatial audio in Apple Music is powered by Dolby Atmos, which is a surround sound technology used in movies, TV shows and games. Dolby Atmos provides an object-based surround sound system, where each sound element is treated as an individual object that can be placed and moved in a 3D space. This allows for more precise and realistic sound placement, which is perfect for spatial audio.
To enable spatial audio in Apple Music, users need to have a subscription and be using an Apple device that is compatible with the feature. The content also needs to be available on Dolby Atmos. When a user plays a song that supports spatial audio, a special icon will appear on the interface to indicate this. The user can then enable spatial audio by clicking on the icon.
Spatial audio in Apple Music is not limited to just songs that have been remastered for Dolby Atmos. Apple uses machine learning to convert existing stereo tracks into spatial audio. This means that users can enjoy the immersive experience with their old favorites as well. However, for the best experience, it is recommended to listen to tracks that have been remastered specifically for Dolby Atmos.
Comparison with other audio technologies
Spatial audio is not the only technology that promises to improve the audio experience. There are other audio technologies that offer a similar immersive experience, such as binaural audio and surround sound.
Binaural audio is a type of stereo sound that uses complex audio processing to simulate 3D sound. It is achieved by capturing sound using two microphones placed in the ears of a dummy head. The resulting sound is then processed to simulate the 3D effect. Binaural audio is mostly used in virtual reality applications, where it adds to the immersive experience.
Surround sound, on the other hand, is a technology that has been around for a long time. It is used in movies, games and some music recordings to create a 3D sound field. Surround sound uses multiple speakers placed around the listener to create the effect. It also requires special encoding and decoding of the audio signal to separate the different channels.
Compared to binaural audio and surround sound, spatial audio has a few advantages. Firstly, it does not require any special equipment or setup like surround sound. Spatial audio works with any headphones that are compatible with the feature, even without a 5.1 or 7.1 speaker setup. Secondly, it is more precise than binaural audio, since it uses software to create the sound field instead of relying on the placement of microphones.
Conclusion
Spatial audio is a new feature introduced by Apple Music that promises to take the audio experience to the next level. Using advanced algorithms and hardware sensors, spatial audio creates a 3D sound field that simulates surround sound. While it is a new technology, it has the potential to revolutionize the way we listen to music. With more content being remastered for Dolby Atmos, users can expect to enjoy a wider range of spatial audio content in the future.