German Wines: 360 Sound Experience

The 360° sound immersion in the German Wine Institute’s (DWI) VR experience takes viewers through all the stages of winemaking – from grape harvesting in the vineyard to a tractor ride and ending in the wine cellar.

The spatial sound enhances each part of the process, allowing viewers to feel as though they’re right there, watching the winemakers at work. The sound enriches the setting: the rustling of leaves, the hum of insects, and the clinking of glasses when the wine is finally tasted.

Various brands have collaborated to enhance this VR experience, showcasing their distinct identities and services in transforming the event and catering to diverse clients.

Recording this audio came with certain challenges, especially on the steep slopes of the vineyards and during the loud tractor ride. It was crucial to minimize the tractor’s engine noise while keeping the winemakers’ voices clear.

Thanks to directional microphones and Ambisonic technology, the spatial audio distribution was perfectly adjusted to create an immersive and seamless experience. Modern technology like Ambisonic microphones captures sound in a 360° field, making the audio as lifelike as possible from every direction.

The VR-Experience is available for free download in the Oculus Store with the languages German (original sound) and English (unsynced over-dubbing) as 360 Experience, or as seen above, as 360° video on YouTube with Spatial Audio (Ambisonics Type 1st-Order Periophonic, ACN, SN3D) or as the DWI calls it: 3-D-sound.

Behind the Scenes: Challenges in the Vineyard

This VR project from the German Wine Institute takes viewers on an immersive journey through Germany’s wine country, from harvesting in the fields to an exciting tractor ride and then into a historic wine cellar. At the end of the experience, viewers are offered a glass of red or white wine to match the immersive feel.

The production itself presented numerous challenges. The scene recorded on the moving tractor, a central element of the project, required precise technical know-how. Tractor engine sounds couldn’t be fully eliminated, and the winemakers’ voices overlapped due to the loud environment.

But because I supervised the recording personally, I could address these issues in post-production to ensure a well-balanced 3D sound.

Recording Setup and Technology

To capture the scene, we used a VR camera rig made up of four Sony Alpha 7 cameras, allowing for flexible 360° views. In addition, high-quality wireless microphones and directional antennas helped keep audio clear, even when the tractor moved out of range of the primary wireless systems.

We also needed to set up a Com-Tek system with bodypacks and headphones for the seven-member team (director, client, and agency), so everyone could monitor the sound being recorded. The steep slopes of the vineyard and rugged terrain made setting up and positioning the equipment particularly challenging.

More details and information about the recording and microphone models used can be found here.

Post-Production: 3D Sound and Denoising in Extreme Conditions

In post-production, the main focus was on optimizing the sound to create a clear and immersive 360° soundscape. Since the tractor noise during the ride was unavoidable, I used denoisers and equalizers to minimize the engine sound while keeping the winemakers’ voices as clear as possible.

The Ambisonic recordings allowed for a natural sense of space, but fine EQ adjustments were essential to perfect the localization of sound sources.

The challenge was to maintain the acoustic depth without drowning out the characters’ dialogue due to background noise. During post-production in Pro Tools, I added ambient sounds like wind and birdsong to enhance the authenticity and immerse viewers in the soundscape of the vineyard.

A second video on YouTube gives an overview of the effort that went into achieving flawless playback:

Challenges in Real-Time Monitoring

Another challenge was ensuring real-time monitoring for the director and production team. The steep vineyards and rugged terrain made setting up antennas and monitoring systems difficult, which were essential for continuously overseeing the audio recording.

The solution involved using a Teradek transmission system that allowed the video stream to be sent over greater distances while the audio was transmitted via Com-Tek and wireless systems.

Applications of 360° Sound

Music and Culture

360° sound opens up new possibilities in music and cultural production by creating soundscapes that allow listeners to truly experience and feel the audio. This technology brings extraordinary depth to music and audiovisual content, crafting realistic soundscapes that convey emotions more intensely.

Virtual tours, such as the German Wine Institute project, are examples of innovative content creation using 360° sound to place viewers directly within the scene. This immersive storytelling style enables the sharing of culture and history in a vivid, almost tangible way, helping audiences connect with the nuances of cultural experiences.

Virtual Events and Live Experiences with built-in speakers

Virtual events and live experiences are revolutionizing the way we consume music and audio content. With the advancement of technology, it’s now possible to create immersive live experiences that transport audiences to new dimensions.

Built-in speakers play a crucial role in these experiences, providing high-quality audio that complements the visual elements. Unlike traditional setups that require external audio equipment, built-in speakers offer a more seamless and immersive experience.

This integration allows for a more engaging and interactive experience for the audience, as the audio quality is consistently high and perfectly synchronized with the visual content. As virtual events and live experiences continue to evolve, the use of built-in speakers is redefining how we experience music and audio, making it more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Virtual Events and Live Experiences with built in speakers

In virtual tours and VR events, 360° sound provides an immersive experience that deeply connects viewers to the environment and creates a sense of presence. In the DWI experience, the 360° sound was particularly critical for capturing the vineyard’s authentic atmosphere, the natural sounds, and the winemakers’ activities.

A significant challenge here was recording and processing sound in motion, such as the tractor ride through the steep vineyards. Balancing wind, engine noise, and the characters’ voices in real time required harmonizing the sounds, so viewers experienced the scene as realistically as possible.

Personalization Scenarios and individual ear shape

A key feature of the DWI experience is its multilingual availability: The VR experience is offered in both German and English, appealing to a broad audience and allowing international viewers to experience German winemaking and the work of the vintners firsthand.

Creating 360 VR Experiences

Creating 360 VR experiences is a complex process that requires specialized software and in-depth knowledge. One leading solution in this area is ArcGIS CityEngine, a powerful tool that enables users to create and visualize their own 360 VR experiences.

Equipped with a variety of tools and features, ArcGIS CityEngine allows for realistic and immersive experiences that transport the viewer into a virtual world.

This software supports the creation of detailed 3D models and enables the simulation of complex urban environments and landscapes. This makes it ideal for projects that require high precision and attention to detail.

By using ArcGIS CityEngine, developers and creatives can design impressive VR experiences that are both visually appealing and technically demanding.

What is 360° Sound?

360° sound is an advanced audio technology designed to immerse listeners in a soundscape where every sound has a specific position in space. Unlike traditional stereo systems, which only play audio from left and right, 360° sound creates a deeper, more realistic sound environment.

This technique conveys a “being there” sensation, allowing listeners to perceive every movement and sound from all directions.In the film industry, 360° sound is used to create a more immersive movie-watching experience by utilizing a unique configuration of sound channels.

What is 360 Reality Audio?

This project should not be confused with 360 Reality Audio – a technology developed by Sony to offer an unparalleled music experience. With 360 Reality Audio, music is played in 3D audio quality, allowing listeners to hear each instrument and voice as if they were live.

This technology uses advanced algorithms to place sound in a three-dimensional space, creating an immersive and realistic listening experience.

360 Reality Audio offers many benefits: It enables a deeper emotional connection to music and allows listeners to dive into the soundscape. This technology is available on various devices, including the PlayStation 5, making it accessible to a wide audience. Whether through headphones or speakers, 360 Reality Audio offers an experience far beyond conventional stereo, revolutionizing how we listen to music.

Technology Behind the 360° Sound Experience

The DWI’s VR experience uses this technology impressively. By combining 360° video and 3D audio, viewers are immersed directly into life on a German vineyard. With this audio technology, viewers hear the sounds of grape picking and the clicking of clippers as if they were standing among the vines.

The tractor hums in the background, and the winemakers’ voices come from distinct directions.

Advantages of 360° Sound

The DWI’s 360° sound experience makes viewers feel like they’re standing in the middle of a vineyard, part of the scene itself. This technique draws listeners closer to the action: You hear the winemaker speaking while the surroundings come alive – grapes are harvested, the tractor drives by, and nature sounds like wind and birdsong appear authentically and spatially.

This technique elevates audio quality to a new level and creates an almost tangible experience. Particularly impressive is how 3D audio lets viewers sense the position of each sound source. Unlike traditional audio output, sounds are placed in a spatial environment, allowing listeners to detect where each sound originates.

The Future of 360° Sound

With rapid technological advances, 360° sound promises to make immersive audio experiences even more realistic and accessible. The ability to create lifelike soundscapes for a wide range of projects will play a significant role not only in entertainment but also in education, culture, and large events.

The precise spatial placement of sounds allows for presenting content in a new, engaging way, strengthening emotional connections. Thus, 360° sound opens up numerous possibilities, from immersing in historical events to following scientific processes in educational settings.

For future applications, immersive sound formats are expected to become increasingly integrated into educational projects and virtual events. With 360° sound, knowledge and stories can be presented in a way that audiences not only understand but genuinely experience – from historical reenactments to interactive VR courses.

The technology could help make abstract topics more tangible and easier to understand.

Experts like VRTonung are crucial to the success of such projects. The technical complexity of recording, editing, and adapting 360° sound requires precise handling for optimal results. VRTonung is known for expertise in stereoscopic 360° sound productions and the ability to design projects that provide end-users with a comprehensive and captivating experience.

With their expertise, complex audio projects can be realized, and the technologies seamlessly integrated into the user experience, ensuring that 360° sound inspires and engages even more people.

Conclusion on 360 Audio Experiences

360° sound opens a new dimension in experiencing audio that fundamentally changes how we perceive and enjoy sound. The technology allows for soundscapes that place the listener directly in the action, providing an incredibly realistic experience.

With versatile applications – from culture and education to music

Immersive Experience

An immersive experience is a multisensory journey that captivates the audience on multiple levels, creating a memorable and impactful encounter. In the realm of sound, this can be achieved through advanced audio technology, such as 3D audio or surround sound, which mimics the way sound behaves in the real world.

This technology transports listeners to new environments, evoking emotions and sensations that traditional audio formats cannot. Imagine standing in a vineyard, hearing the rustle of leaves, the hum of insects, and the distant chatter of winemakers – all made possible through immersive audio technology.

This kind of experience not only enhances the realism of the setting but also deepens the emotional connection to the scene, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

The Science of Sound

The science of sound is a captivating field that delves into the physical properties of sound waves and their interaction with our environment. Sound waves propagate through the air, creating vibrations that our ears perceive and interpret as sound.

Understanding these principles is crucial for creating immersive audio experiences that accurately replicate real-world soundscapes. By studying how sound waves travel, reflect, and absorb, audio engineers can design systems that deliver lifelike audio, enhancing the listener’s experience.

This knowledge is the backbone of technologies like 360° sound, which aim to create a realistic and immersive audio environment, transporting listeners to different worlds through sound.

Wine and Music Pairing with live audience

Wine and music pairing is an art form that combines the sensory pleasures of taste and sound to create a unique and memorable experience. Just as wines have distinct flavor profiles, different types of music have unique sonic characteristics that can either complement or contrast with the flavors of wine.

For instance, a crisp Riesling might pair beautifully with light, airy classical music, while a robust Pinot Noir could be enhanced by the deep, resonant tones of jazz. By thoughtfully pairing wine with music, we can create a multisensory experience that heightens our appreciation of both, making each sip and each note more enjoyable.

German Wine Regions

Germany is celebrated for its rich wine culture, with several regions producing high-quality wines that are cherished around the world. The Mosel region, for example, is renowned for its crisp and refreshing Rieslings, which are perfect for pairing with light, delicate music.

In contrast, the Pfalz region is known for its rich and full-bodied Pinots, which can be beautifully complemented by the deep, resonant tones of jazz or classical music. Each German wine region has its own unique terroir and winemaking traditions, offering a diverse range of wines that can enhance any musical experience.

Exploring these regions allows us to discover a wide array of wines that are perfect for creating memorable wine and music pairings.

Expert Insights: Insights on the Intersection of Wine and Sound

The intersection of wine and sound is a fascinating topic that is gaining attention from industry experts. From the use of sound waves to enhance the flavor of wine to the impact of music on the wine-drinking experience, experts are exploring the myriad ways in which sound and wine intersect.

Immersive audio is becoming a popular feature in wine tastings and events, with experts discussing how sound can elevate the overall experience, making it more memorable and enjoyable.

Whether delving into the art of winemaking or the science of sound, experts provide valuable insights into this unique intersection. As virtual events and live experiences continue to rise in popularity, the relationship between wine and sound is becoming an increasingly important topic in the world of audio and music.

This growing trend highlights the potential for innovative and immersive experiences that combine the sensory pleasures of taste and sound, offering a new dimension to the appreciation of both wine and music.

Conclusion on this immersive experience

In conclusion, the world of sound and music and VR is a vast and fascinating field that offers endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. From the science of sound to the art of wine and music pairing, there are many ways to experience and appreciate music.

By embracing new technologies and formats, such as immersive audio and video, we can create innovative ways to enjoy music and enhance our appreciation of the world around us. Whether you’re a music lover, a wine enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of sound, there’s something for everyone in the world of music and audio.