With the constant rapid progression of technology in the current hemisphere, interactions with technical advances continue to advance entertainment capabilities. Music has adopted a whole new listening experience with 8D Audio.
Take Your Eardrums on a Virtual Drive
8D or Ambisonic audio, is the alternation of music from left to right. With 8D audio, the focus centers around the headphones. With the calculated shifting of music capabilities from the left and right sides of the headphones, listeners are enjoying an imaginary live concert. Made of a virtual reality nature, audiences sink into the atmospheric 8D music, which allows listeners to melt into every chord and listen to the lyrics in a more dynamic outcome. Through rigorous programming, the audio output is allowed in the midst of virtually recording. With a virtual sphere, the 8D programming is dividing the audio gain, thus splitting it left and right.
In the artist’s perspective, the artist records the song as normal. The mixer then obtains the vocal and instrumental tracks and mixes solely left tracks and solely right tracks. Once this step is accomplished, the audio files are merged to make it a multi-track. The 8D experience is still in constant development; however, some songs have been created for listeners to experience now!
Listen to Pentatonix/Billie Eilish “Ilomilo” with 8D AUDIO now!
As you are listening to the song, close your timid eyes as you focus your mind on the musical content. Within a few seconds, you will begin to encounter walls of sound projecting from all around you. The song is registering from different areas, creating a sound circling around your head. Imagine this experience as if you were watching a 3D movie. As you adjust your body in the seat, in preparation of an optical exhibition, you are greeted with objects without much effort, propelling off the screen and into your lap. This fun occasion can be correlated to the 8D audio event, however shows contrasting experiences.
3D Immersion
Musicians from around the world have delved into the 3D atmosphere of virtual reality. Artists such as Nick Mulvey and Massive Attack have taken listeners into different worlds with their 3D immersion. Icelandic singer-songwriter Bjork has accomplished 3D realness with her exhibit “Bjork Digital”. The collection produces 360-degree music videos of her eighth studio album “Vulnicura” at Carriageworks in Sydney, Australia.
3D immersion centers around the physical (visual) entertainment, while 8D focuses on the listening experience. They both share incredible altitudes of entertainment, but 8D is more individual, while 3D can feel more communal.
Listen to Post Malone’s “I Fall Apart” with 8D AUDIO now!
8D – Enhancement or Distraction?
Like watching your favorite television show on a big screen, or fondling over a bucket of delicious sweets, 8D has been a pure blessing. 8D audio has begun making its presence on streaming platforms and various websites. A wave of WhatsApp audio files, YouTube links, and message of musical 8D sharing is in the midst. If you haven’t received any buzz about this awesomeness, don’t worry, it’s coming.
With the trend sweeping the globe, does the 8D audio truly enhance the music experience, or does it distract the listener from listening and reflection? The answer is subjective. With the smooth stylings of neo soul, the genre creates a peaceful vibe that narrates a beautiful day or a relaxing night. The expression of 8D for this particular genre may be too hectic, or deflect for a tranquil atmosphere. For listeners of hardcore expressive heavy metal, the listener will embark on the richness of the genre, feeling immersed in the mosh pit.
It is safe to say that 8D audio is the next “trendy” movement in musical entertainment, but not necessarily a new idea. In 1980, Argentinian inventor Hugo Zuccarelli created a binaural recording system that based or claimed that the human auditory system could act as an interferometer. This was called Holophonics. Similar to 8D audio, the holophonics are clearly heard through headphones as it demonstrates two channel stereo speakers. Through the ear passages. Considered the pioneers of holophonics, Pink Floyd use this epic experience through their twelfth studio album “The Final Cut”.
Physiological in effect, the audio experience teleports listeners to a state of non-heavy energy. Many people across the globe have stated the mental health benefits the audio version has created. 8D audio can come into your life on a hazy day. As your mind settles with the overwhelming energy life creates, an escape seems relevant. Riding your bike into the sunset or enjoying the attractive green of the grass resting under you as you look at the cloud passing by. The 8D audio experiences allow you to build a soundtrack for all things light with fondness.
A New Take on the Old Trend
It felt like almost yesterday, when my parents would storm into my room with utter cosmic rage. As an adolescent young adult, beginning this transcending to adulthood, the constant trouble I found myself immersed in, felt almost instinctual. “Please, do not blow out my speakers in my car, Isaac!” my mom would assert urgently, “You don’t need to listen to music that loud anyway!” To be fair, my mother was right. When I sat behind the wheel of my parents’ cars, it felt like I was front row at an epic rave or a legendary concert. A music lover like myself, I could not just casually listen to a vociferous song, I had to dive head first into the sounds, and get lost in a trance-like state of high volume and illusion.
As I began to hear the stereos pop like vigorous buttery popcorn, I turned down the vibes in a swift motion. There would be a sense of sadness that would rush over me, for the live concert had to be abruptly halted. With the speedy evolving complexion of technology, 8D however, seemed to be a progressive gift from the musical heavens!
When I began sinking into the world of 8D audio music, I noticed however that the experience 8D proclaims has been implemented in various ways from generations of artistic experimentation. New Zealand artist Kimbra used various 8D-inspired notions in her “The Golden Echo” album. The truth is that the idea of 8D audio has been a progressive yet existing entity for years. The action of 8D audio should be an artistic choice from the artists rather than a general genre of music entertainment. In some cases, it may ruin the essence of what the artist wanted to implicate. However the case, music listening will continue to evolve for years to come. With the rapid pace of the technological world, music listening will pursue a progressing nature.
Full 8D AUDIO EXPERIENCE
More on music from the author here.
Photos: Shutterstock / photomontage: Martina Advaney
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