YouTube binaural content – not just binaural beats

The term “binaural” is not new in the world of audio, but it is becoming increasingly important, especially on platforms like YouTube. Binaural beats work by creating an auditory illusion that influences brain waves, helping to achieve different states of alertness and relaxation. But what exactly does binaural mean, and how does it differ from other immersive audio experiences like 8D Audio?

In this article, we take a closer look at binaural audio on YouTube, including gaming content and VR videos that you can enjoy with regular headphones, while also shedding light on legal and technical aspects.

8D Audio: Legally questionable, without artist consent

8D audio, a technique in which the audio tracks are reprocessed and sent through a spatializer, is often done without the consent of the artists or rights holders. This process is legally problematic and can lead to lawsuits. In most cases, the stereo audio, for example of a radio version, is simply chased through software such as DearVR Pro.

These unofficial versions are fascinating, but legally tricky. If you want to find out more about this technology, you can find more information here: 8D Audio – The immersive music of the future?

Binaural beats videos have also gained popularity, raising questions about their legal use in music production. While binaural beats can assist in achieving deep sleep and reducing anxiety and stress, the legality of such content often remains unclear, similar to 8D audio.

The quality of binaural beats can be significantly impacted by the device used, as multiple compressions can reduce the effectiveness of brainwave entrainment. But it is not to be confused with binaural audio, which is what 8D video is.

ASMR: Like YouTube, Makes Half Sense, Not Always Binaural

ASMR videos are very popular on YouTube and can often be found in playlists. These videos use binaural microphones to create a particularly immersive listening experience. They record bizarre things such as people licking artificial heads or handling food.

Many people experience goosebumps or relaxation from these sounds. However, much of the content advertised as ASMR is not recorded binaurally, which can affect the quality.

I will discuss whether 3D microphony is really needed for ASMR in an upcoming article for its success. But the following applies to YouTube: ASMR content here can be considered audio that is often more related to wellness. So sometimes you can also find music for relaxation or nature sounds, which can help with sleep and insomnia.

Binaural audio: There are special binaural videos that are legitimate!

Binaural videos should be treated with caution. There is binaural content on YouTube that has the term “binaural in the title”. But it is hard to proof what kind of content the provider decided to share here for the internet. There is no YouTube police that can listen to all the frequencies and do a quality control.

In the context of professional spatial audio, here is an idea how this can work without complain. With a well-thought-out structure and the possibility of supervising the project from the very beginning, close collaboration with the artists is possible throughout the entire music production chain.

As a result, both the artist and the producer are able to interact with each other right from the start in order to get the best out of the produced piece.

The quality of binaural audio can also influence the listener’s internal voice, helping to calm conflicting thoughts and promote mental clarity.

On the other hand, there are also videos that do not have a good structure and planning behind the production and mixing, nor do they observe certain basic rules of the art of mixing for multi-channel mixes. This results in distorted and immature sound experiences. This tarnishes the reputation of 3D audio and leads artists and consumers to turn to tried and tested stereo versions.

How to Upload binaural audio on YouTube

There are two main ways to upload binaural 3D audio to YouTube: Either in the form of an artificial head recording or as a binaural downmix, as described for “Dolby Atmos”. Years ago, there were already records with artificial head recordings of concerts. The impression of sitting live in front of the orchestra worked very well even then.

A more modern method uses not just one artificial head, but several microphones. The individual instruments are then artificially placed in the room. The conversion to binaural stereo for enjoyment on headphones is done by software and no longer by hardware such as an artificial head. This technique has also found its way into videos you watch on various platforms.

So as of right now, there is no Dolby Atmos or Sony 360 Reality Audio content on YouTube – despite there are videos and comments claiming that. The immersive Audio Model and Formats (IAMF) could be come a standard for binaural YouTube content.

Gaming content and VR videos on YouTube

Binaural audio is not just limited to music and ASMR. There is plenty of gaming content and VR videos on YouTube that offer an immersive experience with regular headphones. These videos often use binaural recording techniques to give viewers the feeling of being in the middle of the action.

This is very different from binaural beats, which are used for relaxation. Binaural beats create specific brainwave activity in each ear through slightly different frequencies and are not intended for immersive experiences.

Upmixing: With headphones like AirPods Pro?

With special headphones like the AirPods Pro, you can simulate 3D audio. This allows you to immerse yourself in immersive sound worlds where the audio surrounds you – akin to real-life experiences. However, this is an artificial simulation and not true multi-channel audio.

A stereo signal is taken and artificially placed in the room, creating a spatial impression through headphones. This subjective experience differs from genuine 3D audio.

Users often report feeling the stress leaving their body and experiencing a refreshed and recharged feeling upon waking up after listening to binaural beats.

For users within the Apple ecosystem, using devices such as iPhone, Mac, and Apple TV alongside AirPods Pro or AirPods Max enhances the listening experience. Seamless integration across Apple devices optimizes spatial audio effects, providing a cohesive audio experience.

Discover more about transforming stereo into binaural audio for YouTube. This technique utilizes frequencies to create an immersive environment in videos. Whether you watch or listen, the created content offers benefits to you.

Learn more about the different ways to turn stereo into binaural audio for YouTube: https://www.vrtonung.de/dolby-atmos-kopfhoerer-3d-audio-headtracking-problem/

Binaural Beats: Not all binaural audio

When exploring binaural audio on YouTube, don’t confuse it with binaural beats. Binaural audio provides a spatial 3D sound experience by picking up sound in such a way that the listener feels like they are in the middle of the action. Binaural audio can be found in various videos on platforms like YouTube, where you can watch and listen to the immersive effects.

Binaural beats, on the other hand, create a third sound in the brain by playing two slightly different frequencies in each ear. This technology has been popular for years, with videos dating back to 6 years ago and even more recent ones from 1 year ago.

Both technologies require headphones but offer different listening experiences: one for spatial immersion and the other for relaxation and meditation. Whether you are looking to reduce stress or enhance your sleep quality, there are binaural beats YouTube channels dedicated to these benefits.

Conclusion

Binaural audio on YouTube offers a wide range of possibilities, from music and ASMR to gaming content and VR videos. Although there are some legal and technical challenges, binaural audio offers a fascinating and immersive experience. Users should take care to consume legitimate content and be aware of the differences between binaural beats and immersive audio scenarios.

With the right equipment and content, YouTube can be an impressive platform for binaural audio exploration and even make some money buy tickling the right frequency.