In the ever-evolving world of virtual reality (VR), the importance of creating deeply immersive experiences cannot be overstated. At atmoky, we believe that sound is a crucial component of this immersion. That’s why we’re excited to announce our partnership with VRelax, a leading provider of VR relaxation experiences. Through this collaboration, VRelax has integrated atmoky’s cutting-edge trueSpatial audio technology into their VR platform, further enhancing the realism and effectiveness of their virtual environments.
The Role of Audio in Virtual Relaxation
VRelax has long recognized the pivotal role that audio plays in creating truly immersive VR experiences. Their platform is designed to help users relax, recover, and improve their mental wellbeing by transporting them to soothing, nature-inspired virtual environments. However, achieving this level of immersion requires more than just stunning visuals – it necessitates audio that is just as vivid and lifelike.
Without sound, much of the meaning and emotion behind visual experiences is lost. Imagine walking across a frozen lake where the ice doesn’t crackle ominously beneath your feet, or biting into a crisp apple without hearing the satisfying crunch – these sounds are not just background noise; they are essential for recreating true-to-life experiences and forming a deep connection with your surroundings. In VR, this connection is achieved through spatial audio, which VRelax expertly employs to craft environments where users feel truly present, as if they are in the middle of a serene forest or by a tranquil stream.
Sphere of Sound, led by Jelmer Althuis, has been instrumental in shaping these audio landscapes. With a deep understanding of how sound affects human perception and emotion, Sphere of Sound has worked closely with both VRelax and atmoky to ensure that every auditory detail contributes to the overall sense of relaxation and presence.
What Makes trueSpatial Stand Out
atmoky’s trueSpatial audio technology is designed to take immersive experiences to the next level. Spatial audio, also known as 3D sound, mimics the way we hear in the real world – sounds come from all around us, creating a 360-degree audio landscape. The audio software experts at atmoky are dedicated to advancing interactive and dynamic spatial audio with industry-leading processing performance and precision. Their plugins offer XR developers and game sound designers a comprehensive toolkit, including features like out-of-head localization, sound source directivity and occlusion, and near-field effects. These capabilities make atmoky’s solutions an all-in-one spatial audio design tool, pushing the boundaries of immersive audio experiences.
By integrating atmoky, VRelax can now place sound sources within their virtual environments in a way that perfectly matches the visual elements. This means that when a user hears a bird chirping, it’s not just a generic sound – it’s coming from the exact direction and distance where the bird is visually located in the VR space introducing the “being-right-there” feeling.
This attention to detail enhances the realism of the experience, making it more engaging and effective for users seeking relaxation and mental recovery. Whether it’s the subtle rustling of leaves, the distant call of a bird, or the gentle flow of water, every sound is designed to contribute to a seamless and immersive experience.
The Process Behind the Immersion
Creating these rich audio landscapes is no small feat. Sphere of Sound, responsible for all spatial audio productions for VRelax, begins by capturing recordings with an ambisonic microphone, which captures the sound from every direction, providing a realistic base layer for the immersive experience. This is then enriched with additional sound sources that are carefully positioned within the virtual environment using Unity game engine.
With the integration of trueSpatial, these sounds now respond dynamically to the user’s movements and the environment, creating an even more lifelike experience. For instance, in a VR scenario where a user is surrounded by horses, they will hear the sound of hooves stamping on the grass, birds singing nearby and flying by, and the distant croaking of frogs – all precisely positioned in the virtual space.
Sphere of Sound’s extensive experience in the XR industry, particularly in designing soundscapes that resonate with users on a deeper level, has been pivotal in bringing VRelax’s vision to life. By leveraging atmoky’s cutting-edge trueSpatial audio technology, their commitment to excellence in sound production ensures that every VR experience they contribute to is not just immersive, but also therapeutic and impactful.
In this video, Jelmer Althuis, Audio Director at VRelax and Sound Designer at Sphere of Sound, discusses the motivation behind their partnership in detail.
A Shared Vision for Wellbeing
atmoky and VRelax share a vision of using technology to enhance mental wellbeing. Better sound leads to better experiences, and in the case of VRelax, this translates into more effective relaxation and recovery for users. By partnering up with atmoky, VRelax aims to contribute to creating VR experiences that are not just visually stunning but also auditorily immersive, helping users relax more deeply and recover more quickly.
Jelmer Althuis, who serves as both the Audio Director at VRelax and the founder of Sphere of Sound, emphasizes the importance of this dual approach:
“This partnership with atmoky marks a significant step forward in the field of VR relaxation. Both VRelax and Sphere of Sound are proud to contribute their combined expertise to this collaboration, helping to set a new standard for VR-based relaxation and mental health through advanced spatial audio. Spatial Audio is not just a technical enhancement; it’s a fundamental aspect of how we perceive and connect with virtual environments. By pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in immersive sound design, we are redefining the way users experience relaxation and mental recovery in VR. The future of wellbeing in virtual spaces hinges on our ability to create truly authentic, emotionally resonant audio experiences.”
For more information on the collaboration between atmoky and VRelax, stay tuned to our blog and social media channels.