AMBEO VR Mic

FAQ

• What is Immersive Audio, 3D audio?

  For many years, people have spoken about Surround Sound. With Immersive Audio, we speak about an additional dimension, namely the height dimension. We expect this to be the future of audio technology, comparable with the evolution from mono to stereo.

  In addition to the known Surround-placement (ear level/surround layer) we use elevation layers to place the audio elements in a 3-dimensional environment enveloping the listener.
  
  AMBEO VR Mic ( #507195 )
• What does “AMBEO” mean?

  AMBEO is Sennheiser’s program and trademark for 3D audio, which will cover immersive audio products and technologies for the entire audio signal chain, from capture to mixing and processing to reproduction.

  AMBEO products will be designed to deliver immersive sound experiences with an incredibly high emotional impact. While stereo audio or even 5.1 or 7.1 formats reproduce sound in a “plane”, AMBEO introduces a height elevation that creates an “as if there” feeling. This sound revelation has been compared to the switch from mono to stereo that happened in the last century. AMBEO 3D audio is so realistic that it is set to eliminate the boundaries between reality and playback, and between real and artificial sound sources.

  By revealing its strategic focus on 3D audio from very early on, Sennheiser has made AMBEO an invitation to users and technology partners around the globe to include their ideas, feedback and requirements in the design of the company’s 3D audio solutions, thus shaping the future of audio together with Sennheiser.

  AMBEO will set standards in immersive audio, creating a totally new audio experience that will change music and sound forever. Thanks to Sennheiser’s broad audio expertise and product offering, application scenarios will reach from music recording, filming and 3D audio installations in venues to gaming, sports broadcasting and playback on personal devices.
  
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• How is AMBEO different from other audio formats?
  AMBEO products will be designed to deliver immersive sound experiences with an incredibly high emotional impact. While stereo audio or even 5.1 or 7.1 formats reproduce sound in a “plane”, AMBEO introduces a height elevation that creates an “as if there” feeling in 9.1. This sound revelation has been compared to the switch from mono to stereo that happened in the last century. AMBEO 3D audio is so realistic that it is set to eliminate the boundaries between reality and playback, and between real and artificial sound sources.
  
  AMBEO VR Mic ( #507195 )
• What will be possible uses/applications for the AMBEO VR Mic?

  The unobtrusive, flexible and easy to use microphone was specially designed with Virtual Reality content producers in mind. Giving experienced sound designers as well as newcomers to 3D Audio the chance to record environment sounds by capturing 4 quadrants in high-quality standards, Sennheiser’s VR microphone is going to be a stable tool in any VR production.

  The innovative 3D microphone will be an important tool for VR productions and has been designed in cooperation with VR content producers and fine-tuned in an extensive creators’ program with participants from across the VR audio/video industry – and from across the globe. The microphone uses four cardioid condenser capsules in a tetrahedral arrangement; its signals are converted to B-format files in digital audio workstations by the supplied encoding software. The A-B-converter will be available as VST, AU and AAX plug-ins for Mac or Windows.
  
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• How is the AMBEO VR Mic set-up in proper use?
  Microphone to be used in parallel with VR cameras for full VR experience.
  
  AMBEO VR Mic ( #507195 )
• Why does the AMBEO VR Mic have four capsules?
  The four capsules are arranged in a tetrahedral cluster. This permits the capture of sound from all directions and provides what is called Ambisonics A-Format.
  
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• What is the output of the AMBEO VR Mic?
  The AMBEO VR mic outputs 4 x audio signals (one for each capsule) via a multipin connector at the base of the microphone. A special cable then splits the individual audio channels into 4 x Standard XLR 3F connectors identified numerically and by color.
  
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• Does the AMBEO VR Mic need phantom power?
  Yes, the AMBEO VR mic requires 4x 48v Phantom power (each capsule is a separate channel).
  
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• What is Ambisonics and why is it relevant to VR?

  The Sennheiser AMBEO VR Mic works in Ambisonics. Ambisonics captures audio in full-sphere surround from a single point in space. Not only horizontally, but also smoothly covering sound above and below. Developed in the 1970’s and mostly used for music recording, Ambisonics does not have outputs corresponding to speakers, but consists of a speaker independent representation of the sound field called B-format. This allows us to virtually rotate the orientation of the microphone in all directions and to position sound sources independently from speaker positions.

  B-format can be decoded to existing speaker layouts or binaurally rendered (using HRTF) to headphones.

  B-format representation can be changed dynamically by the use of head-tracking headphones or gyros in smartphones – this will make the audio spin when experiencing 360°videos.

  
  
  AMBEO VR Mic ( #507195 )
• What are the main use cases?
  • - Cinematic Virtual Reality
  • - Linear action based virtual reality
  • - Capture of live action as in traditional film
  • - Capture of ambiances for VR Games and other interactive Virtual Reality content
  • - Capture of sound beds for game sound design
  • - Livestreamed VR content
  • - Livestreamed content focused on sports or current events

  
  
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• Waar plaats ik het beste de microfoon?
  Het 3D geluidsveld wordt sferisch opgevangen, vanuit het punt in het geluidsveld waar de AMBEO VR Mic staat opgesteld. Als hij gebruikt wordt in combinatie met een 360°-cameratuig dient de AMBEO VR Mic in de mate van het mogelijke daarmee samenvallend gemonteerd te worden. Breng de vermelding “Front” op de AMBEO VR Mic in lijn met wat als de voorzijde van de camera bedoeld is.
  
  AMBEO VR Mic ( #507195 )
• Hoe verwerk en beluister ik het Ambisonics-geluidsformaat?
  De AMBEO VR Mic genereert een bestand in eerste orde Ambisonics A-formaat, dat geconverteerd moet worden naar het B-formaat. Die conversie is een cruciaal onderdeel in de functionaliteit en sound van de microfoon. U zult de tool voor A-B conversie van Sennheiser AMBEO (link hieronder) moeten downloaden en installeren en het bestand opladen in een strook met 4 kanalen in uw favoriete digitale audiowerkstation. Ambisonics kan gedecodeerd worden tot 3D Binaural Stereo, door bijvoorbeeld gebruik te maken van de plugin NoiseMakers AmbiHead.
  
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• Welk verschil bestaat er tussen de outputstandaarden en welke daarvan kies ik bij voorkeur?
  Voor de output van de AMBEO A-B-conversie kunt u kiezen tussen Classic FuMa” en “ambiX”. Het verschil zit in de ordening van de Ambisonics-kanalen en -niveaus. Wat te kiezen hangt af van de workflow en eventuele andere signalen en/of tools in Ambisonics, die allemaal in hetzelfde formaat moeten zijn. Voor opladen naar YouTube 360, kiest u altijd “ambiX”, om compatibel te zijn met de ruimtelijke audioverwerking die in de browser plaatsvindt.
  
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• How can I use the A-B converter in Logic Pro X?
  Set up an LCRS or quadrophonic surround track in Logic.
  
  Go to Preferences → Advanced Tools → Show Advanced Tools and enable Surround.
  Then go to File → Project Settings → Surround Format and select either LCRS or Surround.
  Finally create a surround track by selecting Track → New Tracks → Audio and select Surround for both in- and output.
  The plugin should now be available as Audio Unit on this track.
  
  AMBEO VR Mic ( #507195 )