At VRelax we deliver proven results through expertise and attention to smart content. Audio plays a crucial role in our app. But what type of audio do we use and how exactly does it work?
The effect of sound on our experience
Without sound we miss much of the meaning of what we see and experience. Imagine a movie without sound – ice that doesn't crack as a warning when you step on it, chips that don't crackle… Without sound we feel less connected to our environment and struggle to make sense of what we see. Just like in the real world, we use sound in virtual worlds to create this connection, using Spatial Audio.
What is Spatial Audio
Spatial Audio, also called 3D sound, means that you not only see that you are in the middle of nature, but that you also hear it. In the real world, we are surrounded by sounds from different directions – a ticking clock on the wall, cars passing by, leaves rustling in the trees. There is an art to experiencing these everyday sounds with the same depth and vibrancy when wearing headphones. At VRelax we use Spatial Audio to recreate this realistic sound environment. We do this by placing sound sources in such a way that they match the visual representation in VR, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the virtual world. For example, when you watch the horse video in our VR experience, you hear the horses grazing or their hooves stomping on the grass, birds singing in the distance, and frogs in the ditch, all from the right directions. This provides a lifelike and immersive experience.
How we create Spatial Audio content
To create spatial audio in VR, we start by recording sounds with an ambisonic microphone. This microphone captures a 360-degree sound field, giving us a realistic base layer of sound. We then enrich this basic layer by adding additional sound sources, which are accurately placed within the virtual environment. These sounds, such as birds chirping or wind blowing through trees, are placed interactively and dynamically within Unity, our development software, so that they respond to the user's movements and the environment.
To guarantee the best possible sound experience, we use advanced software. In our case we opted for a collaboration with Atmoky, a leading audio technology company. This collaboration allows us to provide our VR experiences with high-quality, immersive audio that perfectly matches the visual elements of the virtual world.
Faster recovery with better sound
Can better sound lead to faster recovery? We strongly believe that sound is more than an additional layer; it is an integral part of the VR experience. Our goal is to truly aid the relaxation and well-being of our users. That's why we continue to innovate and perfect our approach to create the most immersive and healing audiovisual landscape in VR.
In short, because the sounds match what you see in the environment, there is an increased sense of immersion, giving you a realistic association with that environment. This convinces users more quickly and allows them to relax more deeply and effectively, which is vital for good mental health!
made in Groningen