How do audio engineers develop an expertise in surround mixing and what are the elements that characterise a great immersive mix? David Davies speaks with the best ears in the business to discover more.
Along with 4K and HDR, the rise of immersive audio – led by Dolby Atmos and MPEG-H – has been one of the defining production technology stories of the past decade. From cinema releases and streaming series mixed in Dolby Atmos, to installations and live events being enhanced with different configurations delivered in multiple formats, audio is an increasingly immersive endeavour across application types.
Identifying a tipping point for a technology is not always easy, but in this case, one can pinpoint the mass availability of immersive audio music, via sites such as Apple Music and Tidal, as an important moment. But despite the increasing footprint of surround music in both professional and consumer domains, it’s arguable that – in relative terms – immersive audio mixing is still in its infancy as regards ‘standard practices’ and a commonly-shared notion of what constitutes a ‘great immersive mix’...
You are not signed in
Only registered users can read the rest of this article.
.jpg)
IBC2026: What to look out for on Day 1
From 11 to 14 September 2026, IBC2026 will open its doors to the international media and entertainment industry.
IBC2026: Creating meaningful opportunities for start-ups, students, educators, and innovators
IBC2026 is set to tackle the media and entertainment industry’s talent shortage this week, with several initiatives designed to give students the chance to attend the show, meet industry professionals and start building connections for their careers.
IBC Accelerator: Agentic AI for live sports
With an eye on the future, this IBC Accelerator plans to move beyond isolated use cases and demonstrate how agentic AI can be applied across the full live media value chain, from automated production tasks to highlight generation, personalisation, and monetisation.
.jpg)
Innovation Awards: Stories behind Content Everywhere finalists
The Content Everywhere finalists in this year’s IBC Innovation Awards run the gamut across: a giant DTV+ implementation project in Brazil; the Premier League’s connected fan experience; and the AI-generated phenomenon Tilly Norwood. Fergal Ringrose, Chair of Judges for the IBC Innovation Awards, reveals why.
Edinburgh TV Festival 2026 review: So long, and thanks for all the views
As this year's edition of the TV Festival is the last to be held in Edinburgh before the move to Manchester, change in many forms featured high on the agenda. The message was that change is not just coming, it's already here – so deal with it.
