Sennheiser has released a public beta version of AMBEO Orbit, a freeware binaural panner in VST, VST3, AU, and AAX plugin formats for DAW applications on PC and Mac.
AMBEO Orbit is a free binaural panning utility developed by Sennheiser, using the Neumann KU100 binaural microphone as a reference. The plugin is capable of placing any mono or stereo audio recording in the 3D sound field without a negative impact on sound quality. Apart from being used as a specialized tool for binaural audio, AMBEO Orbit can also work as an advanced panning utility for use in stereo projects.
The user interface is conveniently laid out, with the most important panning controls placed on top and the additional room simulation tools located at the bottom. The horizontal positioning of the audio source can be adjusted using the Azimuth wheel controller on the right, whereas the Elevation slider on the left controls the vertical placement. The Azimuth can be altered by dragging the wheel controller or by typing in the exact angle. The value of the Clarity knob determines the amount of binaural coloration applied to the signal (lower values result in more obvious coloration) and the Width knob controls the stereo width of the processed audio.
The plugin also features a simple room reverb module which simulates the early reflections of different material types (glass, drapes, curtains, brick wall, and drywall). The built-in reverb effect sounds fine, although it isn’t very versatile. Thankfully, it can be bypassed completely in case the user wants to use a third-party solution. Even without the room simulation, the 3D positioning of the audio sounds very convincing.
You can check out my quick video demonstration of AMBEO Orbit at the top of this page and decide if it’s something you’d be interested in adding to your digital audio workstation. There are just a few free binaural panner plugins out there, most notably Panagement (linked above) and GFM Psypan which is a rather old and now discontinued tool. AMBEO Orbit seems to be the best sounding among the three, although Panagement is definitely worth checking out as well.
AMBEO Orbit is available for direct free download from Sennheiser’s website (21.1 MB download size, ZIP archive containing EXE installer, 32-bit & 64-bit VST/VST3/AU/AAX plugin formats for Windows & macOS).
25 Comments
animus
onVery convincing 3D spatialization, far better than a few other “3d panning” plugins i’ve tried out over the years. Testing it on some random loops, it really does sound have the ability to make something sound like it is behind, above, or below. Adding high amounts of reflections can be jarring, but i imagine a touch on several elements with the same room size & material could help with subliminal perception they are in a space together. Great that it can work on both mono or stereo material, as well as to fully or partially monoify stereo material. Analysis shows minimal phase wonkiness when adjusting. So awesome that it’s free.
I noticed it does cause some frequency contouring no matter what when enabled (this must be part of the trick for the effect to work as it does). For the closest-to neutral signal, set clarity and width both 100%. Since the frequency contour changes at different positions, i would avoid setting multiple mix elements to the same exact positions to avoid resonance buildups, and also apply instances of this to tracks earlier rather than later in the mixing process, since it might offset a fine-tuned overall tonal balance otherwise. I’d also avoid placing it on elements meant to stay cemented front and center.
Tomislav Zlatic
onYes, definitely some coloration happening at any settings, although I’m pretty sure that’s necessary for the effect to work. Very powerful tool, pretty impressed so far!
animus
onI re-rendered a recent mix, replacing all panning automation with ambeo orbit. Very enveloping sound, rich and full. Elements seem to have a distinct physical space and there’s less stereo blur.
Extremely impressive.
Tomislav Zlatic
onThat’s great to hear, thanks for the comment! I still haven’t had the chance to fully test AMBEO Orbit in a real mix. I’m really looking forward to it now!
Akita_Opal
onSome DAWS don’t actually ‘PAN’ they adjust levels of the left and right speaker. (looking at you ableton).
A panner will help, as well as this plug in.
It’s night and day.
Ody
onPan IS adjusting levels. If you want more psychoacoustic effects you need a special plugin like this one.
Bongo John
onIt’s not a binaural panner. It’s a mono/stereo panner that has creates a binaural output according to an ‘average head & ears’. Who actually has an average head & ears? It won’t work to pan a binaural source. That doesn’t matter so much for creating some nice spatial effects with maybe some backing vocals, but it is not actually a 3D panner.
heavymetalmixer
onGotta test this agaisnt X-Audio MyBino, it looks really good from what I saw in the video.
BeeGee
onI’m on PC, using FL Studio. Doesn’t do a damn thing. Loads up fine, but no matter what knobs I turn, there is zero change to the sound. Lame.
Maciej
onI have the same problem on Cubase 9.5. All it does it put some filter on behind settings but no panning at all. How come ?
Ivan
onWow, this is a great vst. I hear it shift unlike Pamanagement. Another instant classic. Thanks BPB for telling us about it and Sennheiser for making such a great tool free.
dumitru tanasa
onSplendido…fa un cambiamento apsolutamente fortissimo..una chiareza e beleza .uno stero e 3d amazing
Krisse
onWhy there is VST on title since its also AU version? I mean some Mac users may not click the link because they thought its PC only
corrosiveabuser
onA very useful tool indeed, thank you sennheiser.
– And, thank you Tomislav, for bringing this to our attention.
– E
heavymetalmixer
onFinally tested it: compared to X-Audio MyBino (Stereo preset and Dirac head), Orbit sound more clear and less harsh (with 100% Clarity, 30% Width, -12dB of Reflections and 15m), maybe this will be my new Binaural monitoring plugin but I think I need more testing, mostly for MONO mixing and to check any phase issues.
Tomislav Zlatic
onThanks for sharing your experience, much appreciated!
Edgar Franco
onI’m using this great effect and it is an awesome resulting sound. It’s far more better than to use panning only. Thank you, Tomislav.
John
onPanagement – By Auburn Sounds s**** only does 180 degrees not 360
AMBEO Orbit is better with full 360 BUT when automating it causes a click when it returns to the starting position
My search continues as both these are not usable
Sergio Martín Elia
onIt does 360, the curve at 180 on the automation has to be a steep like this ” __/|___ ” flipped vertically of course. can’t draw it better but at 180 it has to go back to 0 just to make the turn. Try an error took me to this conclusion. Hope it helps.
Ingo Vogelmann
onHmmm… in Reason 10 automation doesn’t work. Meh.
Vlad
onVery sadly surprised there are not output and mix knobs!
flo
onDoes it work on a Stereo Speaker configuration?
Or just Headphones
yuimbo
onit will have somewhat on an effect on speakers, but only if you sit exactly in the middle of them. it might also create a general “widening” effect.
it’s meant for headphones though.
Tomislav Zlatic
onYeah, definitely for headphones.
boii
onwhere tf is the download link