G’Audio has released Works, a freeware 3D sound utility (AAX plugin format for Mac OS only) for processing audio material that will be used in VR and 360° video.
I never would have guessed that there would be a free imaging software for VR and 360° video but nevertheless, the G’Audio Works proves me wrong. This AAX plug-in for ProTools is designed to be added at the end of each track (mono, stereo, or 5.1) and then the master plug-in should be added to end of the mastering chain in ProTools. The user should then assign the tracks to objects within the G’Audio Works software so that they can then be manipulated as 3D audio.
G’Audio Works has an edit-as-you-watch feature to ensure proper sync with the video before bouncing. In some cases, this would simply mean that the software produces a stereo audio file that encodes immersive 3D audio that matches the video source. In VR and 360° video situations, the software exports a GAO file allowing the audio objects in your session to be placed in real time as the end user moves their head or mobile device around. The audio will match the video being rendered.
The bouncing process is fairly quick for the amount of processing going on behind-the-scenes. Offline bounce is 30 times faster than real-time.
“Works” operates in tandem with “Sol”, which is the company’s custom player for 3D audio and video. After creating a GAO file, the user can utilize Sol to test their mix and ensure the audio is accurately represented in 3D. Sol can also be integrated into mobile devices and is available in SDK format. There are currently several tutorials and demonstrations to watch on YouTube.
Although the utility is only available in AAX plugin format for Mac OS at the moment, G’Audio has confirmed that they are planning to expand the compatibility to other plugin platforms. There are no predictions on when this will happen, though.
Works is available for free download via G’Audio (41.6 MB download size, ZIP archive containing EXE installer, 32-bit & 64-bit AAX plugin format for Mac OS, activation key delivered via email).
1 Comment
X-Raym
onIf you are interested by free 3D/360 audio free effects, check Ambisonic Toolkit : http://www.ambisonictoolkit.net/
As it is coded with JSFX, you should be able to use it in any DAW thanks to ReaJS (from ReaPlug, downloadable for free on Cockos website), but it was designed for REAPER, which can now handle 360° video.
It may not answer the same problem as the plugin presented here, but I though you could be interested (and it fit the BDP editorial line, so you could make an article about if you like it).
Note that this has been promoted at IRCAM (french for Institute for Research and Coordination in Acoustics/Music) : http://medias.ircam.fr/x863b7e … It is quite serious stuff :P