Spatial audio has become an essential tool in contemporary sound practices, but its applications can be broadly divided into two major directions, each serving different purposes and requiring different expertise.
1. Reproducing Spatial Environments (Sound Engineering & Mixing)
The first approach to spatial audio focuses on faithfully reproducing real-world acoustic environments or enhancing traditional sound mixing with immersive depth. This includes:
• Binaural recordings, where microphones placed like human ears capture spatial cues for headphone playback.
• Ambisonics and multichannel recording, used in VR, film, and live event capture to provide immersive realism.
• Wave field synthesis and room simulation, aiming to recreate precise spatial cues in a controlled setting.
• Immersive music mixing (e.g., Dolby Atmos, 360 Reality Audio), which expands stereo music into a multi-dimensional space, enhancing depth and listener envelopment.
This field is deeply rooted in sound engineering, acoustics, and signal processing. Whether aiming for realistic reproduction (field recordings, VR, film) or enhanced immersion (Dolby Atmos mixing for music and cinema), the goal is to optimize clarity, balance, and spatial accuracy. Engineers working in this domain focus on precise measurement, calibration, and spatial mixing techniques to ensure transparent and controlled results.
2. Creating Artificial Sound Environments (Artistic Practice)
The second major approach is the artistic use of spatial audio—crafting entirely new, imagined sonic spaces rather than replicating existing ones. Here, spatialization is not just a technical process but a fundamental part of composition, sound design, and storytelling. This includes:
• Creative spatialization in electronic music and performance, where movement and positioning of sounds become part of the musical structure.
• Immersive installations and interactive experiences, where sound placement influences how audiences engage with a space.
• Cinematic and game audio, where spatial audio helps shape emotional and narrative depth beyond realism.
This approach requires direct artistic involvement rather than being delegated to engineers. Just as composers craft melodies and textures, artists working with spatial audio should actively shape how sound moves, breathes, and transforms in space. The technical tools serve artistic intent—not the other way around.
Xp: A Spatial Audio Tool for Artists
Xp is designed with this second approach in mind. Rather than prioritizing technical accuracy or acoustic reproduction, Xp is built to empower artists and sound designers who want to sculpt immersive and expressive spatial sound environments.
What makes Xp different?
• Intuitive spatial control – Instead of dealing with complex encoding or engineering-heavy setups, Xp provides a direct and musical way to work with spatial sound.
• Designed for performance & composition – Whether for electronic music, sound installations, or experimental works, Xp makes spatialization a fluid and creative process.
• Works seamlessly with Ableton Live – Xp integrates into existing workflows without requiring deep technical knowledge of spatial audio systems.
In short, Xp is not about simulating reality—it’s about creating new sonic realities. If you’re more interested in artistic spatial audio rather than purely technical reproduction, Xp is the perfect tool for you.