Google delivers new Spatial Audio tool for VR developers

Google recently entered the 3D creative space for developers with their new online repository for 3D objects called Poly, which similar to Microsoft’s Remix3D lets users find a library of 3D content and which they can remix using Google’s VR apps like Tilt Brush and Blocks.

It seems this was only the start of their effort to win the hearts and minds of 3D developers, a demographic Microsoft has also been pursuing with their various apps and online properties.

Today Google announced a new tool to help VR developers integrate good 3D spatial audio into their applications.

The new SDK, called  Resonance Audio, works across mobile and desktop platforms, with support for Unity, Unreal, FMOD, Wwise, Web, Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), Android and iOS. Microsoft’s own solution appears to only support Unity.

The technology creates the illusion of sounds coming from specific locations in a virtual world by simulating how sound waves interact with human ears.

The SDK delivers:

• Sound source directivity customization
• Near-field effects
• Volumetric sources
• Geometry-based reverb
• Occlusions
• Recording of Ambisonic audio files

The SDK is optimized to spatialize hundreds of simultaneous 3D sound sources without compromising audio quality, even on mobile and aims to reduce computational cost by using tricks such as pre-rendering how certain sounds reverb in different environments.

Developers can check out the SDK here.

Via TechCrunch.com