Best Ambisonic Plugins: Free & Paid Options
Discover the best plugins available for editing and processing your ambisonic audio.
This post is for anyone looking for ambisonic plugins to help with post production editing and processing of ambisonic and surround sound audio file formats.
All plugin types have free and paid options. Enjoy!
Ambisonic Converter Plugins
Browse a selection of free and paid A to B-Format ambisonic converter plugins.
1. Soundfield by Rode (Free)
The SoundField by Rode ambisonic plugin is, in my opinion, the most user-friendly and intuitive interface for ambisonic format conversion, mixing, and exporting.
Features:
A-format to B-format conversion
Intuitive user interface
Ability to change all virtual microphones’ polar patterns (omni, cardioid, figure-8, shotgun)
Surround sound mixing
Output for all common surround sound formats + custom speaker configurations
Specifications:
|
Input Format |
A-Format, B-Format (FuMa), B-Format (AmbiX) |
| Output Format | B-Format (FuMa), B-Format (AmbiX), Mono, Stereo, 5.1, 7.1, 7.1.2, 5.1.4, 7.1.4 |
| OS Requirements | Windows 10, macOS 10.11 or higher |
| Plugin Type | VST, AAX, Audio Units |
| Supported Host Applications | Protools 12.8, Cubase 9, Nuendo 8, Reaper 5, Logic Pro X 10.4, Final Cut Pro X 10.4 |
2. AMBEO by Sennheiser (FREE)
The Sennheiser AMBEO ambisonic plugin does not have as many features as the SoundField by Rode plugin, but is still a great piece of free ambisonic software if you simply need to convert to B-format.
The Sennheiser AMBEO plugin does not support changing virtual microphone polar patterns, or output to any formats besides FuMa or AmbiX B-format.
Features:
A-format to B-format conversion
Intuitive user interface
Ability to rotate virtual microphones
Specifications:
|
Input Format |
A-Format |
| Output Format | B-Format (FuMa), B-Format (AmbiX) |
| OS Requirements | Windows 8.1 or higher, macOS 10.10 or higher |
| Plugin Type | VST, AAX |
| Supported Host Applications | Not Listed |
3. VVEncode by VVAudio (PAID)
VVEncode is a very simplified ambisonic converter plugin with no bells or whistles.
However, it is one of the only ambisonic converters that accepts custom calibration files for the most accurate conversions from A to B-format for your specific ambisonic microphone.
Most manufactures will include calibration files with purchase. If your ambisonic microphone did not include calibration files, please browse the excellent work of Professor Angelo Farina here.
Professor Angelo Farina has graciously researched and provided calibration files for most ambisonic microphones on the market for free download.
I recommend trying the SoundField by Rode plugin first, and if you are unhappy with the frequency range and imaging of the conversion, use VVEncode with a custom calibration file for your microphone.
Then, export to B-format and use the converted file in the SoundField by Rode plugin for advanced mixing and output for surround.
Ambisonic Equalizer Plugins
Browse a selection of free and paid surround sound equalizer (EQ) plugins.
1. Marvel GEQ (FREE)
Though not strictly for ambisonics, Marvel GEQ can process and equalize surround sound recordings up to 7.1.
If you’ve already converted and exported your ambisonic audio to surround sound format, Marvel GEQ can help you sculpt your mix for free.
Marvel GEQ is a free linear-phase 16-band graphic equalizer AudioUnit, AAX, and VST plugin with multi-channel operation support for professional music production applications. Marvel GEQ offers extensive internal channel routing capabilities, and supports mid/side channel processing.
2. aEXqualizer (PAID)
The aXEqualizer by SSA Plugins is an 8-band EQ designed for efficient processing of Ambisonic signals.
Any processing applied to Ambisonic signals has to be handled carefully to ensure that the spatial balance of the sound scene is not disturbed. The aXEqualizer is an EQ specifically designed to let you sculpt the tone of your Ambisonic signals without harming delicate spatial balance.
Features and Parameters
The aXEqualizer has the following features and parameters for adjusting the frequency balance of your Ambisonic signals:
Gain - the amount of boost or cut applied to the signal.
Frequency - the frequency of the filter for the selected band.
Q-factor - controls the roll off steepness, shape or width of filters.
Filter type - Select filter type from high shelf, low shelf, peak, notch, high pass, and low pass.
Bypass - bypass the band.
The aXEqualizer plugin is available in three versions:
a1Equalizer – Ambisonics equalizer for first-order Ambisonic signals.
a3Equalizer – Ambisonics equalizer for third-order Ambisonic signals.
a7Equalizer- Ambisonics equalizer for seventh-order Ambisonic signals.
Ambisonic Reverb Plugins
Browse a selection of free and paid ambisonic reverb plugins.
1. RoomEncoder (FREE)
The RoomEncoder is so far the most complex and computation-intensive plug-in within the IEM plug-in suite. It allows you to put a source and a listener into a virtual shoebox-shaped room and render over 200 wall reflections. Perfect to enhance the externalization of binaural playback.
You can move the source and the listener freely within the room, which will automatically generate Doppler-shift effects. Use the overall reflection coefficient and the low-shelf and high-shelf filters to change the character of the reflections.
But that’s not all: The RoomEncoder can make use of DirectivitySignals as an input signal. This means that your source can have a frequency-dependent and time-variable directivity. The DirectivityShaper plugin is a good tool to create various directivities.
2. Zephyr Ambisonic Reverb (PAID)
Zephyr is a 3D audio binaural/surround algorithmic reverb plugin based on higher-order Ambisonics (HOA).
By designing an algorithmic reverb that operates directly within the Ambisonics domain, we extend the immersive quality and control of binaural and surround systems, parameterizing important spatial cues of early reflections, scattering patterns, and reverb distributions.
The result is a complete spatial audio package for crafting 3D soundscapes in music, virtual/augmented reality, and beyond.
Features:
1st / 2nd / 3rd order HOA encoder: 8 sources, Mercator projection panner
HOA algorithmic reverb: Time, attack, size, reflection direction/inversion, scatter, modulation, high/low end dampening/resonator controls
HOA rotator: Yaw, pitch, invert controls
HOA decoder: Integrated binaural HRTF, stereo, quadraphonics, 5.1, hexagon/octagon speakers
Early reflection controls: Delay, gain, low/high cut, width, direction, depth
Early chorus processor: 1-7 stages
Sound-field visualizer: Real-time, brightness controls
Multi-configurations: Input (16 multi-channels, mono, AmbiX) / Output (Headphone/AmbiX/Speaker setups)
Free updates!
90+ presets to get you started
3. Ambi Verb HD (PAID)
Ambi Verb HD contains 30 ambisonic room impulse responses, to simulate small and large halls, churches, music venues, stairs, bedrooms, exteriors, living rooms, cars, studios… Recorded with an AMBEO VR Mic, these impulses have been carefully selected and pre-processed for accurate and immersive listening.
Custom room impulse responses can be loaded, in mono or ambiX (FOA) formats.
Adding reverberation to 360 audio is crucial for source externalization and realism. The aim of Ambi Verb HD is to create such immersive content easily, ready for 360 videos, games and VR applications.
Features:
30 ambisonic room impulse responses
Dry/wet control
Decay control
Spatial spreading of room impulse responses
Custom IR loading
MIDI program change for dynamic room switching
Input : ambiX (order 1, 2 or 3) or mono
Output : ambiX (order 1, 2 or 3)
Ambisonic Delay Plugins
Browse a selection of free and paid ambisonic delay plugins.
1. DualDelay by IEM (FREE)
DualDelay is an ambisonic delay plugin.
There are two delay-lines, which can be configured independently. The most exciting feature is the rotation of the whole sound field every single time it runs through the delay-line. The delay’s timbre can be shaped with the high- and low-pass filters. The output of each delay-line can be fed back to itself or/and to the other one and mixed to the output signal.
This plugin didn’t work inside my DAW, but maybe you’ll have better luck.
2. aXDelay by SSA (PAID)
The aXDelay plugin is a delay with feedback and individual rotation of delays. It is available in three variations: first-order, third-order and seventh-order.
Versions:
a1Delay - first-order ambisonics
a3Delay - third-order ambisonics
a7Delay - seventh-order ambisonics
3. ab delay by Audio Brewers (PAID)
Whether you are working with a Mono, Stereo or Ambisonics source (1OA, 2OA, 3OA), ab Delay will automatically adapt its input to whatever you throw at it.
ab Delay will then output a Stereo or Ambisonics (1st, 2nd or 3rd Order) signal so that you can later decode it to any speaker-array imaginable, from binaural all the way to surround, Atmos beds, and custom speaker arrays.
ab Delay’s internals work natively in Ambisonics, meaning you can apply spatial transformations to the Delay for real psycho acoustic results… the era of the Ping-Pong is over, welcome to three-dimensional Ping-Pong-Pang-Pung! Have your signal bounce from left to right, from front to back, from top to bottom, anything goes!
When working in Ambisonics, ‘ab Delay’ adjusts the output between 1st, 2nd or 3rd Order depending on the channel’s properties, you don’t have to do anything!
Up to FOUR independent delay lines can be activated to work either in Parallel or in Serial (or combined!), this is the only delay you’ll need for your music and sound design projects!
Ambisonic Compressor Plugins
Browse a selection of free and paid ambisonic compressor plugins.
1. MultiBand Compressor by IEM (FREE)
The MultiBandCompressor is a very handy tool in your project's mastering stage! It works like a stereo multi-band compressor, however, it will make sure the spatial image is not altered! The Ambisonic input signal is split up into four bands, which can be compressed individually.
The MultiBandCompressor splits your Ambisonic signal into four bands and compresses them individually. The filters' crossover frequencies can be adjusted to taste, and the individual compressors are fully configurable as well, making use of the parameters threshold, knee, ratio, attac, release, and make-up gain. With the master controls you can adjust the parameters of all compressors simultaneously.
The used filters are Linkwitz-Rilely crossovers, so the magnitude response of your mix will be retained, without introducing any phase issues. The plug-in will also retain the spatial image of your mix, by analyzing the omni-channel (W) of each band and applying the same gain reduction to all channels.
2. aXCompressor by SSA (PAID)
The aXCompressor is an Ambisonic dynamic range compressor available in 1st, 3rd, and 7th order variations. The aXCompressor is specifically designed to allow compression of Ambisonic signals without destroying the delicate spatial balance encoded in the B-format tracks.
Features:
The aXCompressor has the following features and parameters for controlling the compression of your Ambisonic signals:
Input gain – boost or cut the input gain.
Output make-up gain – adjust the output level to compensate for a reduction in overall level due to compression.
Threshold – the threshold level above which a signal will have compression applied
Ratio – controls the amount of compression applied when signals go above the Threshold
Knee width – control how smoothly the compressor goes from uncompressed to compressed as signal level increases. Zero knee width is a hard knee.
Attack time – the time in milliseconds for the compressor to become fully active once the signal goes above the Threshold.
Release time – the time in milliseconds for the compressor to stop acting on the signal once it falls below the Threshold.
RMS or peak detection – control whether the signals peak or average levels are used to determine if the level is above the Threshold.
Gain Reduction display – shows the amount of gain reduction applied over time. The range can be adjusted by right clicking and selecting a new range.
Ambisonic Order Detection: processing automatically matches the order of the input signal to optimize CPU usage when working with lower orders than the maximum available to the plugin.
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