HEADPHONES ON! Surround/ Spatial Audio Mix Plugin Comparisons
This is a comparison between several tools for giving mixes a "3D" quality. I used 2 sound effect files to play with each. This a quick and very "non-scientific" demo using a helicopter followed by drumsticks clicking.
First up is Waves B360 Binaural panner/ encoder, which sells for $299
Next, I did similar panning using WaveArts Panorama, which sells for $129.95
Then I applied what had been my "go-to" for having audio pop off the small screen for years... Minnetonka's Surcode Pro Logic 2, which sells for $595
Lastly, I used Waves NX 5.1, which is a fun way to give remote clients a sense of space when mixing in surround. It sells for $29!!
Each of the above tools has a different purpose, but are all fun for adding space to a mix. Some are more complicated than others. Which one gives YOU the best sense of "space" or "distance" (listen in headphones!!). Comment below.