Astro Spatial Audio (ASA), the world’s leading independent solution for object-based 3D sound, is proud to announce its entry into the Japanese market with the appointment of Audio Brains, one of the country’s most respected suppliers. As the official Japanese solutions partner for ASA, Audio Brains will provide training and support whilst spearheading the expansion of Astro Spatial Audio’s brand-independent immersive audio technology into the country’s powerful live entertainment sector.
As part of the renowned MSI Japan group, Audio Brains occupies a uniquely influential position in the Japan industry as well as that of the wider APAC region. With deep roots into the concert touring and theatre communities, the company has amassed a portfolio of prized brands such as Powersoft, AVID, Symetrix and Martin Audio – including the Sound Adventures immersive audio package, which is driven by Astro Spatial Audio.
According to Audio Brains Director, Sam Yamashita, the company’s enthusiasm for Astro Spatial Audio partially stems from the system’s ability to work with every brand of professional loudspeaker. “Astro Spatial Audio can be used with any loudspeaker you choose, whereas other systems are made by specific manufacturers for use exclusively with their own speakers. It is the best solution for achieving a fully immersive audio experience while having the freedom to use the equipment you choose.”
The core of the Astro Spatial Audio solution is the SARA II premium rendering engine, which facilitates the conversion of audio signals into audio objects. A 3U road- and rack-ready processor offering up to 128 MADI or 128 Dante configurable network pathways at 48kHz/24-bit resolution, it utilises extensive metadata attached to each audio object. The result is a precise calculation, updated 40 times per second, of that object’s position within virtual 3D space, as well as that object’s acoustic effect on the virtual space around it. The outcome is a truly three-dimensional audio canvas which can be easily and quickly scaled between venues, regardless of the loudspeaker brand, configuration or layout.
“We are both delighted and honoured to welcome Audio Brains into our global family”, enthused Astro Spatial Audio Managing Director, Bjorn Van Munster. “Few companies within our industry possess the experience or prestige of our new solutions partner, and I’m very confident that we will achieve great things together in Japan. I look forward to a long and fruitful friendship.”
While Astro Spatial Audio will receive its official Japanese debut at InterBEE 2018, taking place at Tokyo’s Makuhari Messe from November 14th – 16th, Audio Brains is already planning dedicated demonstrations and training workshops for early 2019.
“Our partners and friends will have the chance to experience Astro Spatial Audio in the first quarter of 2019,” confirmed Sam, adding that the list of invitees will include “not only sound engineers but also show producers, production companies, artist’s managers and the artists themselves.”
He concluded: “We believe that the style of live entertainment is changing to encompass more immersive productions, and more innovative uses of this technology. For example, in Japan, we have extremely popular concerts with virtual, animated characters, which can be projected all over the venue. If the visual presentation is that advanced, why shouldn’t the audio be just as impressive? With Astro Spatial Audio, it will be.”
