Automotive 3D Audio

Automotive 3D Audio

At Forever Audio, we’re 3D audio experts and can help automotive brands get the most out of an immersive audio spot.

Any time someone buys a new vehicle they give it a test drive first to get a sense of how it feels to drive the vehicle. But what if your brand could give potential customers a sneak peek into what it would be like to drive one of your cars

3D audio uses sound to give listeners an evocative binaural sonic experience, giving them the feeling of what it is like to drive a vehicle — the pulsating roar of the engine, the liberating feel of the open road or the blood-pumping excitement of an off-road adventure.

3D Audio, binaural audio or immersive audio?

Before you make this exciting audio technique part of your automotive marketing plan you’ve got to know your jargon. 

You’ve probably heard the terms 3D audio, spatial audio, immersive audio and binaural audio used interchangeably. While sound engineers may use them separately to describe technical differences, they by and large refer to an audio experience that immerses the listener in 360 degree sound, where they can sense the distance and direction of the audio sources. 

This is commonly mixed up with ASMR audio, which uses close recorded sound to elicit a tingling feeling, goosebumps, or a static like sensation in the listener. 

How do I create a 3D audio campaign?

So now you know what it’s all about, how do you get the most out of 3D audio? Here are some tips.

Sit back and imagine yourself in the scene. What are all the sounds around you? Which ones are the loudest? What direction are they coming from, and how far away are they? Are the sound sources moving? Asking these questions will help you layer up your audio to create a rich, fully immersive soundscape. 

Next, think about the perspective of your listener. 

Are they looking at a scene, or are they part of the action? Are they in a car? Looking around it? Watching it drive past? Will they be a character in the scene we’re creating? We can play with effects like gulps, breaths and heartbeats to bring them into the moment and make them feel like the centre of the story. 

Finally, remember that SFX are the most important part of 3D audio.

All the layers of sound you’ve spent ages capturing, designing and mixing need space to build up in your script for a truly immersive feel. That’s why when it comes to writing your script, you should keep your copy short and simple. 

This way, you allow your sound design to lead the spot without an overly chatty voiceover detracting from the experience. 

Forever Audio and Automotive 3D Audio

If you want to bring the driving experience to life, 3D audio is the perfect medium and Forever Audio has expert creative and audio production teams who can help with your automotive audio campaigns.

Check out some selected automotive work and our 3D Audio showreel to hear how it’s done.