Wizard Battle 360 Audio Test (3D Video + 3D Audio)

I worked on the 3D Audio content for this 360° video with Corridor Digital, a film production company from Los Angeles, with over 450 million video views, it’s one of the most successful channels of its kind on YouTube worldwide. It was shot with a Google Jump Rig that was kindly provided YouTube space.

Like a live concert – but with a BANG!

Since the fireworks should fly criss-cross also on sound level, I did the task to transform the finished sound design into a 3D audio mix, which can later be played on YouTube in FOA (First Order Ambisonics), a new audio format. Since YouTube content is usually produced even faster than usual, I only had the time shift available, which was quite sporty in view of the amount of moving pictures and fireworks, which is not a serious high-end demand, but it’s definitely lots of fun.

Audio Content in focus

It is a stereoscopic virtual reality video that sets a small milestone in terms of immersion on YouTube with its 3D image and 3D audio, providing an immersive experience. Thanks for the Shout-Out from Sam Gorski himself, in the making-of blog of Corridor Digital’s channel

“This guy from Germany named Martin, he is really into spatial audio 360 audio will you watch this video you’re gonna be able to look around gonna be able to hear what you’re looking at most 360 videos on YouTube don’t have this a lot more interesting to watch when the audio follows what you’re looking at as well yeah you’d shout out to Martin really excited to see how this video turns out wizards or wizards all around me”

360 audio test

Fun fact: The original 3D 360° video has a resolution of two times 4k, i.e. 8k and the sound was created in Higher Order Ambisonics (Third-order Ambisonics) with 16 channels. Both together would result in a file that could not be played on any platform at the moment, but that may still come 😉

On a Mobile device the listening experience is still pretty nice, especially the audio content when you wear sony headphones or another brand. But please don’t use the smartphone built in speakers

Behind the Scenes: The Magic of Wizard Battles 360

Dive into the world of “Wizard Battles 360,” an innovative project combining spectacular pyrotechnics, 360-degree video technology, and immersive spatial audio. This behind-the-scenes look reveals the meticulous planning, technical challenges, and creative solutions that brought this magical production to life.

Concept and Vision

The vision for “Wizard Battles 360” was to create an immersive experience that makes viewers feel part of the action. Inspired by iconic wizard duels from fantasy films, the team aimed to blend visual and auditory elements seamlessly to create a captivating narrative.

Overcoming Technical Challenges

One of the main challenges was finding a location that met both safety and technical requirements. The original spot near a field posed a fire risk, leading the team to relocate. Additionally, the GoPro Odyssey rig used for 360-degree filming had limitations in capturing depth, necessitating careful planning of the scene layout.

The Role of Pyrotechnics

Pyrotechnics were integral to the storytelling. The fireworks were choreographed to match the wizards’ movements, creating a dynamic and engaging visual experience. This required precise timing and coordination to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Spatial Audio: Enhancing Immersive Audio

A standout feature of “Wizard Battles 360” is its use of spatial audio. For me, 360 audio refers to sound designed for 360-degree videos, not to be confused with Sony’s 360 Reality Audio, a format for music production based on MPEG-H and a competitor to Dolby Atmos Music.

Martin from Germany, an expert in 360 audio, played a crucial role in integrating this technology. This creates an immersive music experience, making listeners feel fully engrossed in sound. The result is an immersive audio experience where the sound follows the viewer’s gaze, enhancing overall engagement with surround sound.

Key Audio and Visual Elements

The project incorporated several key audio and visual elements to create a cohesive experience:

360 Reality Audio: This technology allows viewers to hear sounds from the direction they are looking, adding a layer of immersion. To fully experience 360 Reality Audio, compatible music streaming services are required.

Optimized Sound Quality: Careful attention was paid to sound quality, ensuring that each audio element was clear and well-balanced. Using the Headphones Connect app can further optimize sound quality.

Immersive Sound Effects: The use of spatial audio created a more engaging experience, with sounds moving dynamically as the viewer explores the scene.

Visual Effects: The fireworks and special effects were choreographed to complement the audio, creating a synchronized and captivating display.

Audio Format and Stream Compatibility

To ensure a seamless experience, the team optimized for YouTube 360 and focused on compatibility with various audio formats and music streaming platforms. This included ensuring the new audio format support for devices such as Sony headphones, streaming services, wireless speakers, soundbars, home theater systems, and AV receivers.

Testing sound quality across different platforms and devices was crucial to ensure consistent performance. It was particularly challenging at the time to send versions back and forth due to the newness of the technology.

Finding solutions for all devices, such as soundbars and home theater systems, was especially difficult because each device has unique requirements for the music ecosystem. However, we found effective solutions to these challenges, ensuring that the final product met our high standards for both audio and visual quality.

This involved integrating immersive sound fields and optimizing the listening experience for Dolby Atmos and other surround sound systems. Despite the hurdles, we successfully created an immersive experience that utilized spatial audio and reality audio to enhance the overall production.

The Final Countdown

As the filming day approached, the team faced several last-minute challenges. From setting up the pyrotechnics to ensuring all safety measures were in place, the pressure was on. Despite these obstacles, the team remained focused and dedicated to bringing their vision to life.

Post-Production and Sound Design: Sound Quality Test

Post-production played a crucial role in enhancing the visual and audio elements. The sound design, in particular, required careful attention to detail to create a realistic and immersive experience, making the listener feel as if they are witnessing the artist recording on set.

This approach aimed to replicate the ambiance of a recording studio, utilizing spatial audio technology to place elements like vocals, individual instruments, and a live audience within a 360-degree space. Martin’s expertise in spatial audio ensured that the final product offered a truly immersive experience.