Music is one of the oldest art forms of mankind and one of the most moving expressions. With the development of science and technology, the production and dissemination of music has also undergone a transformation from analog to digital, from mono to stereo, from wired to wireless. Today, a new technology is ushering music into a whole new dimension: spatial audio.
What is Spatial Audio?
Spatial audio is a technique that simulates the direction and distance of sound in three-dimensional space through multiple channels and speakers. It allows the listener to feel that the sound is coming from different angles and positions, as if they were there. The principle of spatial audio is to use the human auditory system to determine the source and location of sound through factors such as delay, intensity, phase, and frequency of sound. The effect of spatial audio can be achieved through headphones or a multi-channel speaker system, but the effect of headphones is more realistic and immersive.
Spatial audio is not a new concept, as back in the sixties, there were attempts to make music with spatial audio using a four-channel recorder. However, the popularity of spatial audio has been hampered by technological limitations and high costs. It is only in recent years, with the development of digital audio and the introduction of Dolby Atmos, that the technology and standards of spatial audio have been unified and refined. Dolby Atmos is an object-based spatial audio format that allows sound to move freely in three-dimensional space rather than being fixed to a channel. Dolby Atmos can automatically adapt to the best sound effect according to different devices and environments, whether it is headphones or speakers, you can enjoy the charm of spatial audio.
Why is Apple pursuing spatial audio?
Apple is a company known for its innovation and design, and it also has a deep accumulation and influence in the field of music. From iPod to iTunes, from Apple Music to AirPods, Apple has been providing users with quality music services and products. In June of this year, Apple announced at its Worldwide Developers Conference that it would offer free spatial audio and lossless audio services to Apple Music users. Apple's senior vice president, Eddy Cue, said that spatial audio is the "holy grail" they are pursuing, a "revolutionary" music experience.
Apple's emphasis on spatial audio is not only driven by the pursuit of music quality, but also by competition in the music market. It is reported that Apple plans to increase the weight of music that supports spatial audio from next year and increase the copyright income of musicians. This initiative aims to attract more musicians and users to Apple's music service, thereby increasing Apple's user stickiness and revenue. At present, Apple's music service is second only to Spotify in the global market share, but in some important markets, such as the United States and Europe, Apple's advantage is not obvious. With spatial audio, Apple hopes to create a differentiated feature that will give it a greater edge in the music space.
In addition to music services, spatial audio is also important to Apple's other businesses. Apple has been laying out the field of "spatial computing", which is the use of technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality to create more immersive and interactive digital experiences. Spatial audio is an important part of spatial computing, which can provide users with more realistic and rich sound information, enhancing user perception and engagement. Apple is reportedly working on a headset with integrated spatial audio, which is expected to be released next year. This device will be a key step for Apple to enter the era of spatial computing, as well as Apple's exploration and innovation of future technologies.
What will spatial audio bring to the music industry?
The advent of spatial audio has caused a huge change in the field of music. With Apple's push, many artists are remixing old albums, and spatial audio-enabled music resources are widely supported on multiple platforms. Spatial audio not only brings a more shocking and moving music experience to listeners, but also brings more creative space and possibilities to creators. Spatial audio allows sound to flow freely in three-dimensional space, creating richer and more diverse sound scenes and effects. It's also an opportunity for creators to spark innovative experiences.
Of course, spatial audio is not without controversy and challenges. On the one hand, the production and distribution of spatial audio requires higher technology and cost, and not all musicians and users can easily enjoy the benefits of spatial audio. On the other hand, the application of spatial audio also needs more specifications and standards to avoid the problem of excessive stereoscopic or distortion. The effect of spatial audio can also be affected by different devices and environments, and not all music is suitable for spatial audio. The development of spatial audio still needs more exploration and practice to find the most suitable expression for music.
Conclusion: Where is the future of spatial audio?
Spatial audio is an emerging technology that brings a new dimension and experience to music. The emergence of spatial audio also reflects the continuous pursuit and innovation of human beings in music. The future of spatial audio depends on whether it can create more value and meaning for music, whether it can provide more support and impetus for the development and dissemination of music, and whether it can make more contributions to the diversity and inclusion of music. Spatial audio is Apple's "holy grail" and the "magic box" of the music industry, and we will wait and see what kind of surprises and challenges it will bring us.