Binci seeks new horizons for immersive 3D sound content

This European project studies the possibilities of binaural audio in virtual reality applications, music and video games. The research will provide a complete software and hardware solution for sound designers, music producers and artists.

The European project Binaural Tools for the Creative Industries (Binci) is developing an integrated software and hardware solution that facilitates production, post-production and distribution of immersive 3D audio content, whose result can be tested in an experimental audio guide for the Opéra Garnier, in France, and Die Pinakotheken, in Germany.

The consortium carrying out the project, framed in Horizon 2020, is formed by the Technological Center of Catalonia (Eurecat), Antenna, Head Acoustics, 3D Sound Labs and Voodoopop.

The Director of Audiovisual Technologies at Eurecat, Adan Garriga, considers that the project "will provide a complete software and hardware solution for sound designers, music producers and artists, mainly in the field of small businesses and entrepreneurs".

According to the project calculations, the Integrated Binci Approach Would Have a Considerable Impact on the Turnover of the Creative Industries. In this sense, only with the production of binaural content in 3D for audio guides in international cultural and tourist sites is it estimated that this solution can generate annually 10 to 20 million euros in direct and indirect business for companies in the sector.

likewise, will allow the creation of immersive 3D binaural music and other binaural content for interactive applications linked to virtual reality, augmented reality and video games.

Garriga considers that 3D audio "is a new emerging creative trend, based on the concept that sound is composed of a given space, where sound flows around the listener. In 3D music, the movement of sounds, melodies and rhythms through space will change both the processes of creative production and the musical experiences of the listener.", so that "the space will become a new expressive language for artists and listeners".

To this end,, developed solutions and experimental productions created with immersive 3D audio will be tested in real validation environments, in order to pave the way for exploitation on the market.

Binaural content

Binci will emphasize demonstrating its robustness and scalability to address different productions of binaural content, from the perspective of the professional end user, bringing together around the project a group of audio producers who will participate in the testing of the tools and workflows.

It will also take into account the market and the perspective of the final consumer, by creating experimental productions that will be exhibited and tested in cultural and tourist sites with real visitors, such as the Opéra Garnier and Die Pinakotheken.

According to the researcher, binaural audio " is considered the next standard for virtual reality applications, music and video games", so binci's purpose is to provide the tools for small and medium-sized businesses in the European creative sector to "lead the next binaural revolution for 3D audio content".

The Binci project will develop, among other elements, cost-effective biural measurement systems, a digital instrument for the creation of 3D music, a binaural content player on mobile devices, specialized headphones to listen to this type of sound and a series of samples of audio and binaural music in 3D and productions resulting from the rehearsals and tests of audio professionals.

Other articles on 3D Sound Labs, Eurecat, Head Acoustics, Voodoopop