The Evolution of Immersive Sound with Wilfried Van Baelen

The Evolution of Immersive Sound with Wilfried Van Baelen

In an exclusive two-part interview series, Aliud Records founder Jos Boerland sits down with Wilfried Van Baelen, CEO of Galaxy Studios and inventor of the Auro 3D format, to discuss the evolution of immersive sound in the classical music industry. This conversation, which took place at the renowned Galaxy Studios in Belgium in late 2023, offers a unique insight into the world of 3D audio and its impact on music production and listening experiences.

Part 1: The Genesis of Immersive Sound

In the first segment of this enlightening discussion, Jos and Wilfried delve into the origins of Auro 3D and its significance in the world of audio technology.

Key Topics:

– The conception and development of Auro 3D in 2005
– Auro 3D’s official introduction at the AES Convention 2006
– The technical advantages of Auro 3D over other immersive formats
– Aliud Records’ early adoption of Auro 3D technology
– The importance of vertical sound layers in creating a truly immersive experience

Highlight Quote:
“Auro 3D isn’t just about surrounding the listener with sound; it’s about creating a natural, three-dimensional audio sphere that mirrors real-life listening experiences,” explains Wilfried Van Baelen.

Part 2: Aliud Records’ 15-Year Journey with Immersive Sound

The second part of the interview focuses on Aliud Records’ extensive experience with immersive sound formats and their commitment to pushing the boundaries of audio quality in classical music recordings.

Key Topics:

– Aliud Records’ portfolio of over 100 recordings in both Auro 3D and Dolby Atmos
– The challenges and rewards of producing classical music in immersive formats
– Comparisons between Auro 3D and Dolby Atmos in terms of sound quality and listener experience
– The future of immersive sound in the classical music industry
– Notable Aliud Records releases that showcase the power of 3D audio

Highlight Quote:
“Our goal at Aliud Records has always been to offer listeners the most authentic and engaging audio experience possible. Immersive sound formats like Auro 3D allow us to bring the concert hall into people’s homes,” says Jos Boerland.

About the Interviewees

Jos Boerland is the founder of Aliud Records established in 2005. With a background in music and recording technology, Jos has been at the forefront of adopting innovative audio formats to enhance the listening experience for classical music enthusiasts.

Wilfried Van Baelen is the CEO and founder of Galaxy Studios, as well as the inventor of the Auro 3D format. His work in audio technology has revolutionized the way we experience sound, particularly in the realm of immersive audio.

The Auro 3D Concept

Auro 3D is an immersive sound format that adds a height layer to the traditional surround sound setup. This creates a three-dimensional sound field that more closely resembles natural hearing. The format uses a unique speaker layout and channel configuration to achieve this effect.

Key features of Auro 3D include:

– A “Voice of God” channel for overhead sounds
– Compatibility with existing 5.1 surround sound systems
– Scalability for various listening environments, from home theaters to commercial cinemas

Aliud Records: Pioneering Immersive Sound in Classical Music

Aliud Records has been at the forefront of adopting immersive sound technologies in the classical music genre. Some notable aspects of their work include:

– Producing over 100 recordings in both Auro 3D and Dolby Atmos formats
– Consistently releasing new albums that showcase the capabilities of 3D audio
– Collaborating with renowned orchestras and musicians to create immersive classical music experiences

The Future of Immersive Sound in Classical Music

As the interview concludes, Jos and Wilfried share their thoughts on the future of immersive sound in the classical music industry. They discuss:

– The potential for new composition techniques that take advantage of 3D audio capabilities
– The role of streaming platforms in making immersive audio more accessible to listeners
– The ongoing development of home audio systems that can fully realize the potential of formats like Auro 3D

Conclusion

This two-part interview series offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of immersive sound and its impact on classical music recording and listening. As pioneers in this field, Jos Boerland and Wilfried Van Baelen provide valuable insights into the technical and artistic aspects of 3D audio, as well as its potential to revolutionize the way we experience music.

We hope you enjoy these enlightening video interviews, where you’ll have the opportunity to hear directly from these industry leaders about the past, present, and future of immersive sound in classical music.