Episode 129 Eric Lyon & Tanner Upthegrove (The Cube - A High Density Loudspeaker Array)

In this episode of the Immersive Audio Podcast, Monica Bolles is joined by composer and audio researcher Eric Lyon and Immersive Audio Engineer at Virginia Tech, Tanner Upthegrove, from Virginia, US. We dicuss the growing field of high-density loudspeaker arrays, using the Cube at Virginia Tech as a fascinating example of how large-scale spatial audio can be used for performance, research and immersive sound experiences. For extended show notes and more information on this episode, go to www.immersiveaudiopodcast.com This episode was produced by Oliver Kadel, Monica Bolles and Emma Rees and included music by Rhythm Scott. How to access the content from our Immersive Audio Podcast Masterclass series? Head out to our page on Patreon - www.patreon.com/c/immersiveaudiopodcast. The sessions are designed to enhance your practical learning experience and are delivered by world-class experts. The livestream contains video demonstrations and spatial audio playback with live Q&A. Keep up to date with our upcoming events, announcements and industry news by subscribing to our newsletter. If you enjoy the podcast and would like to show your support, please consider becoming a Patreon. Not only are you supporting us, but you will also get special access to bonus content and much more. Find out more on our official Patreon page - www.patreon.com/immersiveaudiopodcast We want to hear from you! We value our community and would appreciate it if you would take our very quick survey and help us make the Immersive Audio Podcast even better: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3Y9B2MJ Thank you! You can follow the podcast on X @IAudioPodcast for regular updates and content, or get in touch via [email protected] immersiveaudiopodcast.com

In this episode of the Immersive Audio Podcast, Oliver Kadel and Monica Bolles are joined by musician, composer, creative technologist, and founder of Walk Through Music, Zack Settel from Montreal, Canada. We explore Zack's journey through IRCAM, La SAT, and McGill University's CIRMMT, and discuss his work in spatial audio spanning more than three decades. The conversation takes a deep dive into the topic of six degrees of freedom audio for music, examining both the creative and technical challenges of truly interactive listening experiences. For extended show notes and more information on this episode, go to www.immersiveaudiopodcast.com This episode was produced by Oliver Kadel, Monica Bolles and Emma Rees and included music by Rhythm Scott. How to access the content from our Immersive Audio Podcast Masterclass series? Head out to our page on Patreon - www.patreon.com/c/immersiveaudiopodcast. The sessions are designed to enhance your practical learning experience and are delivered by world-class experts. The livestream contains video demonstrations and spatial audio playback with live Q&A. Keep up to date with our upcoming events, announcements and industry news by subscribing to our newsletter. If you enjoy the podcast and would like to show your support, please consider becoming a Patreon. Not only are you supporting us, but you will also get special access to bonus content and much more. Find out more on our official Patreon page - www.patreon.com/immersiveaudiopodcast We want to hear from you! We value our community and would appreciate it if you would take our very quick survey and help us make the Immersive Audio Podcast even better: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3Y9B2MJ Thank you! You can follow the podcast on X @IAudioPodcast for regular updates and content, or get in touch via [email protected] immersiveaudiopodcast.com

We’re excited to announce the sixth instalment of the Immersive Audio Podcast Masterclass series. As always, the sessions are designed to enhance your practical learning experience and are delivered by world-class experts. We’ll be providing video demonstrations, spatial audio playback and an exclusive opportunity to interact with our expert guests. We proudly present the senior technical consultant for audio and visual applications at HHB Communications - John Johnson. In this session, we’ll explore the Sony 360 Virtual Mixing Environment. We’ll cover all steps of the process, from capturing personalised HRTF in person to novel studio workflow strategies. 360VME is an innovative sound technology that uses headphones to reproduce the sound field environment of the studio with high precision. 360VME supports music, post-production, game audio creators, consumers and enthusiasts by reproducing the sound field of a multi-channel studio with headphones so that they can create spatial sound content from virtually anywhere. HHB has been selected by Sony Europe as the first and exclusive partner for the UK. The Technical Support team has been fully trained on providing the measurement process to creators across the country. We’re looking forward to seeing you there! Event Sign Up Page https://www.eventbrite.com/e/immersive-audio-podcast-masterclass-with-sony-360-vme-tickets-1988312228399 In this episode of the Immersive Audio Podcast, Oliver Kadel and Monica Bolles are joined by music producer and immersive audio researcher - Katia Sochaczewska. We discuss Katia’s journey into spatial audio and her involvement with a wide range of research projects on psychoacoustics, accessibility, and perceptual evaluation of binaural rendering. For extended show notes and more information on this episode, go to www.immersiveaudiopodcast.com This episode was produced by Oliver Kadel, Monica Bolles and Emma Rees and included music by Rhythm Scott. How to access the content from our Immersive Audio Podcast Masterclass series? Head out to our page on Patreon - www.patreon.com/c/immersiveaudiopodcast. The sessions are designed to enhance your practical learning experience and are delivered by world-class experts. The livestream contains video demonstrations and spatial audio playback with live Q&A. Keep up to date with our upcoming events, announcements and industry news by subscribing to our newsletter. If you enjoy the podcast and would like to show your support, please consider becoming a Patreon. Not only are you supporting us, but you will also get special access to bonus content and much more. Find out more on our official Patreon page - www.patreon.com/immersiveaudiopodcast We want to hear from you! We value our community and would appreciate it if you would take our very quick survey and help us make the Immersive Audio Podcast even better: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3Y9B2MJ Thank you! You can follow the podcast on X @IAudioPodcast for regular updates and content, or get in touch via [email protected] immersiveaudiopodcast.com

In this episode of the Immersive Audio Podcast, we travel to Austin, Texas, for the 2026 edition of the SXSW festival to present the panel - Audible Dimensions: Expanding Story Through Spatial Audio. This panel explores the latest innovation in immersive sound technology and practical application from three different perspectives: software and hardware capabilities of hosting platforms, the spatial audio formats, and content production workflows that bring these experiences to life. In this session, Dolby also shares how they’ve evolved Dolby Atmos to support new types of extended reality experiences with the new Dolby Atmos Immersive Media Production Suite. Learn more and request early access at professional.dolby.com/daimps. As storytelling expands into extended reality media, such as immersive films, VR, MR, AI glasses and location-based installations, spatial audio is emerging as one of the key narrative forces. With today’s advanced head-mounted display technology, audiences expect not just 3D visuals but equally rich immersive sound that conveys presence, space and movement. This episode recording is supported by our friends at Nomono.  This panel features:  Monica Bolles - Creative Lead/Owner at Resonant Interactions Eric Cheng - Director of Immersive Media at Meta Reality Labs David Gould - Director of Content Creation and Distribution Solutions at Dolby Victor Agulhon - Co-founder & CEO at TARGO For extended show notes and more information on this episode, go to www.immersiveaudiopodcast.com This episode was produced by Oliver Kadel, Monica Bolles and Emma Rees and included music by Rhythm Scott. How to access the content from our Immersive Audio Podcast Masterclass series? Head out to our page on Patreon - www.patreon.com/c/immersiveaudiopodcast. The sessions are designed to enhance your practical learning experience and are delivered by world-class experts. The livestream contains video demonstrations and spatial audio playback with live Q&A. Keep up to date with our upcoming events, announcements and industry news by subscribing to our newsletter. If you enjoy the podcast and would like to show your support, please consider becoming a Patreon. Not only are you supporting us, but you will also get special access to bonus content and much more. Find out more on our official Patreon page - www.patreon.com/immersiveaudiopodcast We want to hear from you! We value our community and would appreciate it if you would take our very quick survey and help us make the Immersive Audio Podcast even better: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3Y9B2MJ Thank you! You can follow the podcast on X @IAudioPodcast for regular updates and content, or get in touch via [email protected] immersiveaudiopodcast.com

In this episode of the Immersive Audio Podcast, Oliver Kadel is joined by the musician,  sound engineer, microphone designer and immersive media producer - Jack Reynolds from London, UK.   We discuss Jack’s extensive career in music and spatial audio, the subsequent move to BBC R&D, UCL, and his own company, Reynolds Microphones. We talk about the importance of ambisonics for location sound and immersive documentary production. For extended show notes and more information on this episode, go to www.immersiveaudiopodcast.com This episode was produced by Oliver Kadel, Monica Bolles and Emma Rees and included music by Rhythm Scott. How to access the content from our Immersive Audio Podcast Masterclass series? Head out to our page on Patreon - www.patreon.com/c/immersiveaudiopodcast. The sessions are designed to enhance your practical learning experience and are delivered by world-class experts. The livestream contains video demonstrations and spatial audio playback with live Q&A. Keep up to date with our upcoming events, announcements and industry news by subscribing to our newsletter. If you enjoy the podcast and would like to show your support, please consider becoming a Patreon. Not only are you supporting us, but you will also get special access to bonus content and much more. Find out more on our official Patreon page - www.patreon.com/immersiveaudiopodcast We want to hear from you! We value our community and would appreciate it if you would take our very quick survey and help us make the Immersive Audio Podcast even better: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3Y9B2MJ Thank you! You can follow the podcast on X @IAudioPodcast for regular updates and content, or get in touch via [email protected] immersiveaudiopodcast.com

We’re excited to share that we’ll be presenting “Audible Dimensions: Expanding Story Through Spatial Audio” at SXSW 2026 in Texas. For information - schedule.sxsw.com/events/PP1148531 In this episode of the Immersive Audio Podcast, Monica Bolles is joined by the musician,  sound engineer, educator - John Wills from Tayvallich, Scotland.   We discuss John’s initiative, Positive Ambisonics, a non-formal creative and educational residency programme focused on developing practical skills in recording and working with spatial audio. For extended show notes and more information on this episode, go to www.immersiveaudiopodcast.com This episode was produced by Oliver Kadel, Monica Bolles and Emma Rees and included music by Rhythm Scott. How to access the content from our Immersive Audio Podcast Masterclass series? Head out to our page on Patreon - www.patreon.com/c/immersiveaudiopodcast. The sessions are designed to enhance your practical learning experience and are delivered by world-class experts. The livestream contains video demonstrations and spatial audio playback with live Q&A. Keep up to date with our upcoming events, announcements and industry news by subscribing to our newsletter. If you enjoy the podcast and would like to show your support, please consider becoming a Patreon. Not only are you supporting us, but you will also get special access to bonus content and much more. Find out more on our official Patreon page - www.patreon.com/immersiveaudiopodcast We want to hear from you! We value our community and would appreciate it if you would take our very quick survey and help us make the Immersive Audio Podcast even better: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3Y9B2MJ Thank you! You can follow the podcast on X @IAudioPodcast for regular updates and content, or get in touch via [email protected] immersiveaudiopodcast.com

We’re excited to share that we’ll be presenting “Audible Dimensions: Expanding Story Through Spatial Audio” at SXSW 2026 in Texas. For information - schedule.sxsw.com/events/PP1148531 In this episode of the Immersive Audio Podcast, Monica Bolles is joined by the software engineer and researcher – Dan Barry from Dublin, Ireland. We discuss Dan’s work and research in digital signal processing, data analytics and AI machine learning for projects centred around spatial psychoacoustics and sound source separation for music. For extended show notes and more information on this episode, go to www.immersiveaudiopodcast.com This episode was produced by Oliver Kadel, Monica Bolles and Emma Rees and included music by Rhythm Scott. How to access the content from our Immersive Audio Podcast Masterclass series? Head out to our page on Patreon - www.patreon.com/c/immersiveaudiopodcast. The sessions are designed to enhance your practical learning experience and are delivered by world-class experts. The livestream contains video demonstrations and spatial audio playback with live Q&A. Keep up to date with our upcoming events, announcements and industry news by subscribing to our newsletter. If you enjoy the podcast and would like to show your support, please consider becoming a Patreon. Not only are you supporting us, but you will also get special access to bonus content and much more. Find out more on our official Patreon page - www.patreon.com/immersiveaudiopodcast We want to hear from you! We value our community and would appreciate it if you would take our very quick survey and help us make the Immersive Audio Podcast even better: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3Y9B2MJ Thank you! You can follow the podcast on X @IAudioPodcast for regular updates and content, or get in touch via [email protected] immersiveaudiopodcast.com

We’re excited to share that we’ll be presenting “Audible Dimensions: Expanding Story Through Spatial Audio” at SXSW 2026 in Texas. For information - https://schedule.sxsw.com/events/PP1148531 In this episode of the Immersive Audio Podcast, Oliver Kadel and Monica Bolles are joined by the award-winning bassist, composer, producer and engineer – Justin Gray from Toronto, Canada. We do a deep dive into Justin’s recently Grammy-nominated album IMMERSED, and what it takes to produce an album in spatial audio from the ground up, starting from the preproduction, writing, arranging, recording, editing, mixing, mastering and of course marketing and distribution. For extended show notes and more information on this episode, go to www.immersiveaudiopodcast.com This episode was produced by Oliver Kadel, Monica Bolles and Emma Rees and included music by Rhythm Scott. How to access the content from our Immersive Audio Podcast Masterclass series? Head out to our page on Patreon - www.patreon.com/c/immersiveaudiopodcast. The sessions are designed to enhance your practical learning experience and are delivered by world-class experts. The livestream contains video demonstrations and spatial audio playback with live Q&A. Keep up to date with our upcoming events, announcements and industry news by subscribing to our newsletter. If you enjoy the podcast and would like to show your support, please consider becoming a Patreon. Not only are you supporting us, but you will also get special access to bonus content and much more. Find out more on our official Patreon page - www.patreon.com/immersiveaudiopodcast We want to hear from you! We value our community and would appreciate it if you would take our very quick survey and help us make the Immersive Audio Podcast even better: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3Y9B2MJ Thank you! You can follow the podcast on X @IAudioPodcast for regular updates and content, or get in touch via [email protected] immersiveaudiopodcast.com

We’re excited to announce the fifth instalment of the Immersive Audio Podcast Masterclass series. As always, the sessions are designed to enhance your practical learning experience and are delivered by world-class experts. We proudly present our guests for this session: the Professor of Audio Technology at Chalmers University of Technology – Jens Ahrens, the sound designer and co-founder of DELTA Soundworks – Ana Monte, and the technical lead and co-founder of DELTA Soundworks – Daniel Deboy. This masterclass will focus on “Spatial Audio – Practical Master Guide”, the first Acoucou Courseware programme where technology meets art. This free course blends the technical intricacies of spatial audio with the creative skills needed to craft compelling content. With extensive cross-references to other engineering modules where learners gain a broad understanding of how everything connects. 🔗 https://spatial-audio.acoucou.org/ We’ll cover the structure of the course, history of spatial audio and evolution of sound aesthetics, psychoacoustics of stereophony, and different applications of spatial audio and delivery formats. Please sign up with the link below. We’re looking forward to seeing you there! 🔗 Event Sign Up Page https://www.eventbrite.com/e/immersive-audio-podcast-masterclass-with-acoucou-courseware-tickets-1697156624149?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-source=cp&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing In this episode of the Immersive Audio Podcast, Oliver Kadel and Monica Bolles are joined by the immersive audio workflow engineer Ceri Thomas from LA, US. Ceri shares his personal and professional journey that led him to working with Dolby and Apple at a pivotal moment when spatial audio began to enter the mainstream. He also discusses his latest consultancy venture, IMMERSV. This week’s hot topic was about the critical balance between quality and mass adoption of immersive audio in music. For extended show notes and more information on this episode, go to www.immersiveaudiopodcast.com This episode was produced by Oliver Kadel, Monica Bolles and Emma Rees and included music by Rhythm Scott. How to access the content from our Immersive Audio Podcast Masterclass series? Head out to our page on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/immersiveaudiopodcast. The sessions are designed to enhance your practical learning experience and are delivered by world-class experts. The livestream contains video demonstrations and spatial audio playback with live Q&A. Keep up to date with our upcoming events, announcements and industry news by subscribing to our newsletter. If you enjoy the podcast and would like to show your support, please consider becoming a Patreon. Not only are you supporting us, but you will also get special access to bonus content and much more. Find out more on our official Patreon page - www.patreon.com/immersiveaudiopodcast We want to hear from you! We value our community and would appreciate it if you would take our very quick survey and help us make the Immersive Audio Podcast even better: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3Y9B2MJ Thank you! You can follow the podcast on X @IAudioPodcast for regular updates and content, or get in touch via [email protected] immersiveaudiopodcast.com

We've just submitted our panel proposal for SXSW 2026: “Audible Dimensions: Expanding Story Through Spatial Audio” We'll explore how spatial audio is more than a technical enhancement but a powerful storytelling tool. From shaping emotion and perspective to guiding audience engagement, we'll discuss how designing for immersive media means writing for space as well as time. As platforms like Meta, Apple Vision Pro, and Android XR raise audience expectations, spatial audio is becoming indispensable to immersive storytelling.  Please cast your vote and support our session here. https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw26/community-voting-sxsw/page/community-voting/session/1752616879438001oo8Q In this episode of the Immersive Audio Podcast, Oliver Kadel and Monica Bolles are joined by the spatial sound artist and academic Angela McArthur from London, UK. We dive into the IKO, 3D inside-out playback speaker system developed by Sonible, IEM, which offers unique characteristics, making the space architecture part of the sound presentation. For extended show notes and more information on this episode, go to www.immersiveaudiopodcast.com This episode was produced by Oliver Kadel, Monica Bolles and Emma Rees and included music by Rhythm Scott. How to access the content from our Immersive Audio Podcast Masterclass series? Head out to our page on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/immersiveaudiopodcast. The sessions are designed to enhance your practical learning experience and are delivered by world-class experts. The livestream contains video demonstrations and spatial audio playback with live Q&A. Keep up to date with our upcoming events, announcements and industry news by subscribing to our newsletter. If you enjoy the podcast and would like to show your support, please consider becoming a Patreon. Not only are you supporting us, but you will also get special access to bonus content and much more. Find out more on our official Patreon page - www.patreon.com/immersiveaudiopodcast We want to hear from you! We value our community and would appreciate it if you would take our very quick survey and help us make the Immersive Audio Podcast even better: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3Y9B2MJ Thank you! You can follow the podcast on X @IAudioPodcast for regular updates and content, or get in touch via [email protected] immersiveaudiopodcast.com