Immersive Audio and How to Achieve It

Someday soon AI will fill in the acoustics, but then there will still be many variables in the original recording that the listener will have to understand. Will the listener be put in the position of a listener in the audience, will the listener be put in the position of hearing direct and acoustic sound that is in the mind of the musician and producer, will the listener hear something totally apart from the experience in reality like sounds coming from every direction. I played in orchestras and jazz bands and sometimes it was wonderful hearing the instruments around me but that is a unique position that no one records for. Ultimately immersive sound is a moving target. 

The best surround sound mixes I like are generally but not always good stereo mixes often they have extra dry vocals in the center than wetter vocals in L, R. The other instruments using the speakers to create points near the front and sides. If surround is used too much it brings attention to its self and looses flow. Surround can be much better than stereo but that is surprisingly rare. There will be a time when you’ll be able to set the acoustics, channels and everything else where you want it if you want to A I is about to change everything. I think Dolby Atmos will be a memory in about 3 or 4 years.