Innovative streaming with the 3D AudioSpace from Sounding Future

In the 3D AudioSpace of Sounding Future, artists present their audio tracks in high-quality 3D audio. To kick things off, I'm introducing the features of the new audio streaming platform here.

Fränk Zimmer Profilfoto Fränk Zimmer
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Sounding Future was founded in 2024 as a freely accessible platform for presenting innovative music and audio projects. The content comes directly from artists, developers, and sound experts. Today, we have over 75 exciting articles on topics such as music and AI, 3D audio, innovative interfaces, and projects by artists working with sound. The offering is complemented by a curated collection of DIY tutorials, books, and podcasts on music production and innovative music technology.

In 2025, we set out on a new adventure with the 3D AudioSpace. After a lot of words, we are now giving space to the heart of the platform: music and sound in the form of a 3D audio streaming platform.
 

AudioSpace Home Screen

Track overview page of the 3D AudioSpace

Who is the 3D AudioSpace for?

The 3D AudioSpace is aimed at:

  • Curious music listeners looking for a new, immersive listening experience.
  • Artists who want to exploit the full potential of 3D audio.

The following genres are the focus: electronic music, electroacoustic music, contemporary music, game music and Dama Music – all in 3D audio.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the artists who have placed their trust in us as AudioSpace pioneers and sent us their multichannel tracks.

What does the 3D AudioSpace offer?

For artists:

  • Upload multichannel tracks with track info & biographies.
  • Conversion of tracks into high-quality 3D audio, optimized for headphones and loudspeakers.
  • Insights into how often own tracks have been listened to and liked.
  • Free online showcase in 3D audio.
  • Promotion on Sounding Future social media and in the monthly newsletter.
     

For listeners:

  • Powerful search function for genres, artists, or tracks.
  • Like: Mark your favorite tracks and save them in your collection.
  • Share: Easily share music on social networks.
  • Follow: Follow artists and save them in your artist collection.
  • Choose between different track renderings.
  • Free streaming of all audio tracks.
     
AudioSpace Smartphone

Homepage of the 3D AudioSpace on your smartphone.

 “Curated by” selection

A special highlight is the "Curated by" section. Renowned festivals and music organizations present a unique selection of artists. Here are the first organizations to be involved since the start:

This exclusive music selection offers deep insights into the international music scenes. Numerous tracks can be heard here for the first time in 3D AudioSpace – curated for the platform. In this way, Sounding Future not only promotes musical innovation, but also strengthens the global 3D audio community.

AudioSpace Tracks

Tracks page of the 3D AudioSpace

What is the technology behind it?

3D audio is based on binaural audio technology that simulates natural hearing. Through targeted manipulation of differences in runtime, volume and frequency, a realistic, spatial sound image is created. This opens up new creative possibilities for artists to position sound sources precisely in space.

Our workflow is to receive audio material from the artists in the following audio formats:

  • HOA (Higher Order Ambisonics), AmbiX (SN3D, ACN) - preferred for maximum flexibility.
  • Channel-based audio files (5.1, 7.2, Quad, Octo)
  • Binaural audio files - suitable for static streaming via headphones.

After the conversion of the source material, the following playback types are offered in the 3D AudioSpace:

  • Binaural+: Realistic listening experience in a virtual space (headphones).
  • Binaural: Standard binaural audio (headphones).
  • Stereo: For conventional stereo systems (speakers).

Users can switch between these three variants. Logged-in users can set a variant as default by double-clicking on a variant button. This will then always be preferred.

As always, the listening experience can vary greatly depending on the quality of the headphones or speakers used.

Static vs. dynamic streaming

Currently, the 3D AudioSpace offers static streaming, where playback is independent of the listener's head position.

We are also planning to integrate head tracking into our audio player to dynamically adjust the audio playback according to the listener's head movements. The goal is to dynamically recreate the listening of the physical world during audio playback for an even more realistic audio experience. Read more in the article: “Sounding Future: The Road to a 3D Audio Streaming Platform”.

Playing Track Screen

Playback of a track in 3D AudioSpace

Usability

  • Compatibility: Runs optimally on, Chrome, Opera, Safari and Edge browsers.
  • User-friendliness: No additional hardware or app is required.
  • Design: Minimalist interface with light and dark mode.
  • Easy registration: Intuitive login and backend functions for quick orientation.

Security and DSVGO

At Sounding Future, we place a high value on hosting both our main site soundingfuture.com, and our 3D AudioSpace in places that we control. Our servers are located in Austria and Germany. We do not pass on confidential user information to companies. We run a self-hosted web analytics tool on our servers. This tool helps us to see how often content is accessed or from where the site is accessed. More information can be found here: About|Privacy|Legal

Funding and support

After six months of intensive development work, the 3D AudioSpace was launched on February 25, 2025 - completely self-financed and supported by many hours of volunteer work.

We welcome any support in the further development of the 3D AudioSpace:

Here you can find information about company sponsoring or private support membership support.

The team

Finally, I would like to introduce the great team that helped make the 3D AudioSpace a reality.

  • Fränk Zimmer: Concept, graphics, communication
  • Jakob Gille: 3D audio conversion
  • Hanna Horobynska: Social Media
  • Heimo Ranzenbacher: Editor
  • Ansar Karrouach: Programming
  • Kevin Pfeifer, Julia Hörmann: Server Maintenance

We wish you exciting listening adventures in the 3D AudioSpace.

Fränk Zimmer

Fränk Zimmer is a media artist, curator, and festival organizer. After training as a communications engineer in Luxembourg, he studied musicology in Graz and Vienna. He uses open-source software and hardware in sound and media installations in both public and art-specific spaces. Zimmer also works as a producer and co-curator for ORF musikprotokoll, a festival for contemporary and experimental music. In the last five years, he has focused on 3D audio and the development of interactive, web-based listening environments. In 2023, he founded "Sounding Future", an online platform dedicated to current technical and artistic developments in music and art.