Vaudeville teams with Google on 3D Sound Objects

Sound design and audio post house, Vaudeville, is working with Google to build 3D audio models and creative sound design for the launch of the recently released Immersive Audio Model and Formats (IAMF) specification.

The IAMF specification is a royalty-free license, released through the Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia), that will enable developers to create immersive audio applications, content and experiences across a myriad of devices and platforms – from broadcasting to XR.

Vaudeville is the creative launch partner for Google’s IAMF technology demonstrations at CES 2024 in Las Vegas.

“The IAMF specification has arrived at the right moment in the immersive audio industry, and we are thrilled to be working with Google and its partners – to deliver the next generation of 3D audio experiences,” said Mirko Vogel, managing partner, and head of immersive design & development, Vaudeville Sound Group. “We have worked with all of the leading immersive audio formats, and see IAMF as the gateway to truly deep, rich and interoperable audio experiences across the widest range of devices – and applications, from streaming and gaming to augmented reality and virtual reality, as well as traditional broadcasting, phones and vehicles. This is the answer to what many engineers and consumers have asked for when they ask ‘What’s Next?’”

IAMF is a codec-agnostic container specification that can carry information for playback time rendering algorithms and audio mixing. The new specification also enables more flexibility in rendering audio to end devices, whether 3.1.2 channel audio combined with stereo audio or third-order ambisonics paired with non-diegetic stereo audio.

“We have seen a strong desire for an open standard like IAMF in the recording industry, and we have an ideal ally in Vaudeville in the development of new workflows for this sector,” said Jani Huoponen, product lead for immersive audio at Google. “Whether mixing for film, game or music, we envision IAMF opening up new ways for sound engineers to create immersive experiences all the way to the end users. Vaudeville will help us realize our goals for this industry.”