RØDE Microphones has today launched the Ambisonic Sound Library, a collection of ambisonic recordings from some of the World’s top sound recordists.
The entire library is free to download, giving users access to hundreds of high-quality ambisonic recordings to use in their projects.
The library also gives users who are new to ambisonics the chance to experience the endless editing and sound manipulation options made possible by the SoundField by RØDE Plug-in even if they don’t have access to an ambisonic microphone.
What is Ambisonics?
Ambisonics is a 360° surround sound format that, unlike conventional stereo and surround sound, records the full directivity information for every soundwave that hits the microphone – including height information.
Once captured, ambisonic recordings can be manipulated in post-production to create any 360° surround soundscape desirable, making it ideal for immersive audio applications.
The theory and practice behind ambisonics were first developed in Britain in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, and the first SoundField ambisonic microphone was invented by Michael Gerzon and Professor Peter Craven in 1975 and developed for commercial release in 1978.
Ambisonics remained a high-end niche recording format until very recently with the emergence of virtual reality and 360° video applications.
The Ambisonic Sound Library
Over the past 18 months, some of the world’s top sound recordists – including award-winning composer and field recordist Watson Wu and visionary electronic musician and sound designer Richard Devine – have travelled the world capturing soundscapes using the NT-SF1.
Containing hundreds of high-quality, royalty-free ambisonic recordings ranging from atmospheric soundscapes to specific sound effects, the library is an invaluable resource for sound designers, filmmakers, and audio producers.
Users can preview and download the ambisonic files and load them into the free SoundField by RØDE Plug-in in any digital audio workstation – from there, the possibilities are limitless. The Ambisonic Sound Library is also an excellent introduction for those who are curious about ambisonic recording but haven’t had the chance to get their hands on an ambisonic microphone.
How do I use the files?
To manipulate the tracks, you will need to use the SoundField By RØDE Plug-in.
Simply download and drag an Ambisonic file into your favourite DAW and apply the SoundField By RØDE Plug-in to it’s track. Now you can select the correct input and mic orientation (both of which are displayed on the recording listing page) and you can then change the output to match whatever monitoring you are using, whether that’s mono, stereo, all the way up to 7.1.2.
Where is it available from?
To access and explore the Ambisonic Sound Library, head to library.soundfield.com and create an account. All recordings are free to download and use.
For more information on and guides on how to use Ambisonics, take a look at the NT-SF1 How to series consisting of nine-parts.
