What is 360VME?
360VME captures the sound of the speakers in the room as you hear them at the listening position. This creates a “profile” unique to the listener in the room and at the position they were measured.
When audio is played through the 360VME software, loaded with your unique profile, on Sony MDR-MV1 headphones, it will sound exactly like you are in the room the profile was measured in.
How is the measurement done?
The measurement is carried out by a trained engineer. The process involves inserting very small microphones into the users’ ear canals (not as intrusive as it sounds*) and a short frequency sweep sound is played from each speaker in turn. The user then puts on the headphones, and a similar frequency sweep sound is played in the headphones. This captures the unique combination of room, users’ position and users’ Head-Related Transfer Function (HRTF). HTRF is how sound is affected by an individual’s ear, head and torso size and shape.
*The microphones are tiny and suspended in the middle of your ear canal so they don’t block your ear, and you hardly notice they are there.
Does it use psychoacoustics to create simulations of rooms?
No. There is no modelling, AI or otherwise, and no psychoacoustic processing. The technology captures the change in the sound between each speaker and the ear canal of the person being measured. The 360VME software then uses the data to create a “profile”. Audio played through this profile produces stereo audio in the MDR-MV1 headphones in such a way that it sounds as though the audio came from the speakers where the measurement was taken. Each profile is unique to the individual, room, position and speaker set that were measured.
Does it work for different speaker formats?
Yes, anything from mono to up to 16-channels and so will work with a Dolby Atmos 9.1.6 set up as well as 7.1.4 + two separate stereo speakers but is applicable for stereo only studios, ambisonics speaker arrays (up to sixteen speakers) and any other arrangement. Sixteen speakers/subwoofers is the only limitation.
Why would I use it for stereo when headphones are stereo anyway?
When listening to stereo audio on headphones, the stereo image is presented between the ears inside the head. If using a 360VME profile measured using a stereo set of speakers the image will be presented as though the sound is coming from virtual speakers in front of you. Additionally, the sound will have the same characteristics as the room and speakers that were measured and so you will be able to make more accurate mixing decisions based on the sound of the studio you are used to working in.
I don’t have an immersive studio but like the idea of having a virtual one to improve my headphone-based immersive mixing. Can I get a profile?
Yes, we offer a measurement service at our London demo facility that is equipped with a high-end, calibrated 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos system.
What is it for?
There are many potential applications. One way to think of the technology is to take your studio with you in headphones or several people hearing the same studio remotely all at once.
Post production: Whilst the main dubbing suite is in use on one job, start prep on others. Send clients mixes for remote review (stereo post-profile processed). Work remotely on small tweaks without needing to rebook the studio.
Game audio design: Have sound designers experience accurate immersive monitoring when working away from the studio.
Music: Continue working on mixes remotely. Work on immersive music mixes on headphones with accurate monitoring of sound object positions and immersive feel. Send clients mixes for remote review (stereo post-profile processed). Work remotely on small tweaks with needing to go back to the studio.
Broadcast: When working on live surround or immersive mixes, have remote operators including in the production gallery and playout centre experience the full mix to be able to make production and QC decisions. Mix immersivity for events where a full immersive OB truck or remote studio is not available.
Education: Provide students with their profile for a main immersive studio to enable them more “studio” time to work on projects.
Audio enthusiasts: Not for the technophobe but for those au fait with routing audio between applications and managing different computer audio sources, enjoy the sound of your stereo or immersive Hi-Fi set-up on headphones.
What does it cost?
There is a fee for the measurement service which is £100 ex VAT per person/profile at our London demo facility. There is an additional set-up and potentially travel cost to carry out measurements at your studio. The Sony licence is £249 ex VAT per year for a single profile. Multiple profile licences and education packages are available too. And then there are the headphones to purchase which are £282.50 ex VAT for the Sony MDR-MV1s. So, from £631.50 ex VAT for the first year for one profile at our demo facility including headphones and then £249 ex VAT per year from the second year for the licence to use the profile.
How do I get it and can I try before I buy?
You can request a demo and when measured will be provided with a 7-day trial licence. There is a cost for the measurement service in your studio but no need to be remeasured if you purchase the annual licence after trying it.