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| Operating System | Latest Version |
|---|---|
| 3.0 | |
| System Requirements Intel PC with 2 GHz Dual2Core processor or better. Windows 7/64 and higher Total System RAM: 2GB Minimum, 4GB and more recommended. 64-bit host application. | |
| 3.0 | |
| System Requirements Intel Mac PC with 2 GHz Dual2Core processor or better, M1 (Rosetta) Mac OS X 10.13 or higher Total System RAM: 2GB Minimum, 4GB and more recommended. 64-bit host application. | |
Spatial Audio Designer
High-performance professional audio plug-in.
The Spatial Audio Designer (SAD) is the market's leading audio plug-in for creating and monitoring next-generation immersive audio.
Available in several license options: see options above for pricing:
Using an advanced virtual bus system, the SAD allows the mixing and monitoring of any immersive format in any audio workstation (DAW) and many video workstations.
5.1, 7.1, Dolby Atmos 7.1.2 to 9.1.6, AURO-3D, MPEG-H, IMAX 3D, and 22.2 formats are just a mouse click away from each other. Also, the SAD allows to create and export of multi-format mixes for custom array configurations like in planetariums or installations.
Furthermore, the SAD can use existing panning and volume automation data. Hence, an existing multi-channel 5.1 mix session is just minutes away from getting a discrete 7.1 mix and maybe a day of evolving to a 3D audio mix for cinema, home, 360/VR, or mobile entertainment application.
The SAD is also the only tool in the market to mix, author, monitor, export, and encode all MPEG-H formats, including Sony 360 RA compatible master creation.
The binaural virtual loudspeaker processing of the SAD originates from real studio measurements as well as unechoed chambers and allows mixing any format with any set of regular headphones if no appropriate loudspeaker system is available.
Furthermore, the SAD is the perfect tool to produce straightforward forward breathtaking binaural audio mixes.
The "In-One" version is a plug-in that is suited to address monitoring needs. That means the user gets the binaural headphone virtualization for monitoring purposes instantly. If you want to "create" rather than "monitor" you likely want to have a Virtual Producer or larger licenses. The In-One does not support MPEG-H creation.
Features Vers. 3.0:
Reviewed By fcscholz [all]
June 22nd, 2013
Version reviewed: Win8 on Windows
The Spatial Audio Designer (SAD) is a modern and multifunctional panning tool. SAD is developed and produced by a Hamburg based company called New Audio Technology. It can handle all Surround and 3D audio formats as well as upcoming multichannel solutions. One of the highlights is the ability to work on the mix with virtual speakers: with simple headphones you can listen to all the supported multi-format mixes (up to 22.2) in a virtual room environment. With this feature it's a great tool to "show" customers without a specific speaker-array surround (or 3D) mixes. I've used the Spatial Audio Designer already this way – very successfully.
But, first things first:
The Spatial Audio Designer covers Windows (XP and above) and MacOS (10.6.2 and above) and the major plug-in formats (RTAS, AU and VST). 32-bit and 64-bit hosts are supported. SAD features an off-beat copy protection. Neither iLok nor eLicenser are needed to authorize and use this software. First, you download a small application which generates a unique ID for your computer. Then, you have to insert this computer-related ID on the website. Your personal (computer-related) copy of SAD will be generated and made ready for download. An interesting option is to authorize standard USB storage for copy protection purposes. The USB flash drive can still be used as such; furthermore, it fulfils the duties of an iLok or eLicenser for SAD. That's pretty unusual, isn't it? You should use a Core2Duo (or above) and 2GB of RAM (minimum), 4GB or more (recommended).
Panning
There are many Surround panners out there, but this one is different. First, it can pan all formats like 5.1, 7.1, Auro-3D up to 22.2 (yes 3D, I mentioned it already), second it does not work speaker-related (like all the others do) but position-related. So you can change the speaker setting completely "on the fly" without updating or changing the pannings manually – nice. And you can use the existing automation data in SAD – a time saver.
Every signal (mixing channel) can be positioned freely by this panning tool. There are two areas: a bird's eye view (from the top) to pan front, surround and the sides; and a view from behind to define height of signal. In both views, a head is shown to visualize the relative position of the listener's head. The speaker positions are shown as well.
Virtualization
For laptop/headphones users (e.g. in trains or planes) and users without the desired speaker array, SAD offers a virtualization mode. This mode can be used where no appropriate speaker system is available to make Headphone Surround soundtracks as a special feature for Blu-rays or DVDs or to create new Headphone Surround 3D versions!
The virtualization is available for mono mixes up to 22.2 mixes too. It only works on headphones – but on all headphones. There are a lot of virtual locations to mix in and the company is constantly introducing new ones.
Verdict
The SAD is a really innovative tool which is – in this special form – competitor free in the market.
You can pan Stereo, Surround and 3D audio up to 22.2 with one panning tool. In the whole mixing process, the speaker settings are changeable on the fly, without losing mixing or automation data. This option can be used to play out several mix-versions (Stereo, 5.1, 7.1, 11.1 and so on). Virtualization on headphones or using real speakers is both possible. Whether your DAW supports the desired bus structure or not – SAD will handle it for you. I recommend this tool for all producers, engineers and other users who want to work on Surround and 3D audio and who have to, or want to, start without too much investment – it's a cool tool.
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