An audio technology that's been around for more than 80 years may be about to move into the mainstream. Binaural audio can create immersive spatial sound experiences using just two sound sources, for example with a pair of headphones. In the era of mobile media the conditions may be just right for binaural to be one of the next big things.

More and more people are consuming broadcast quality content on portable devices like smartphones and tablets - and using headphones to listen to the audio. Broadcasters can now take advantage of the processing power of such devices to deliver a 3D sound field, mimicking the way our ears and brain deal with sound in the real world. There are opportunities fro both radio and television, as well as online media.

EBU Workshop

A two-day workshop at the EBU in Geneva next month (15-16 May) will survey the binaural landscape with a view to identifying where the best opportunities may lie. The event, which will include demos from leading players in the field, will look at the past, present and possible future of immersive audio over headphones. A set of panel discussions will allow content makers and technologists to question the technology providers and researchers about how binaural audio can be used to enhance the listening experience for audiences.

The workshop, titled Immersive Audio Over Headphones, is free for EBU Members to attend; non-members are required to pay CHF 100.

Two Ears, Three Dimensions

An article in the most recent edition of EBU tech-i magazine explains more about 3D audio over headphones. Matthieu Parmentier of francetélévisions explains how binaural technology creates huge potential for multichannel sound broadcasting.

In the same issue of tech-i, BBC's Chris Pike writes about on-going work surrounding new audio formats.