A clear explanation of Spatial Audio and how it work s in AR
Spatial audio is sound that comes from a specific point in space, rather than from a flat stereo mix. It changes volume, direction, and character based on where you are relative to it, so the audio feels like it's in your real physical environment even when it comes from an AR object.
Most AR experiences rely on visual cues to guide the user where to interact or look. Spatial audio adds another useful tool to immersive experiences. It leverages a device's 6DoF and world tracking to determine your position relative to a virtual sound source. The AR headset or mobile device adjusts direction, sound and audio falloff so that you hear audio exactly where it's placed in the environment.
As you move closer to a virtual object, it can become louder. When you step behind a barrier, the tone can soften or become partially occluded. When you turn your head, the direction of the sound shifts from one ear to another. This helps your brain understand where to look and what to focus on. Someone may wonder why the position of sound matters, and the answer is that spatial audio is based on our own instincts, in behaviors of sound in the real world. It feels natural because it mirrors real life.
Spatial audio strengthens presence in AR. It helps digital objects and 3D models feel grounded by giving them another realistic characteristic. A hologram speaking from the far side of the room feels different from hearing the same voice in common stereo. A virtual machine may beep or buzz to get you to interact with it, or a creature could chirp behind you to indicate that you should turn around, without needing a visual hint.
This sense of realism makes AR feel more powerful and engaging. Audio can guide exploration, reveal hidden layers, and direct focus. It supports storytelling, training, and ambient cues all around you.
Spatial audio also improves usability. Instead of searching across busy UIs scattered across the room, the user can follow a sound to the right location, object, or instruction.
In the Trace platform, spatial audio is already built in. If you place a video or a sound source, audio comes directly from that location. As users move through a space, distance will affect volume and audio falloff. Designers can tune the volumes, curves, timings, and triggers of these sounds. They can tune interactions to activate audio cues to make scenes feel responsive, dynamic, and alive.
Spatial audio should reinforce and not overwhelm the experience. Here are a few principles to help guide its use.
Anchor audio to visible context.
If a video is playing, its sound should come from that position. If a 3D object emits the sound, its audio should also match with its appropriate orientation and scale.
Use sound to guide attention.
Notifications, tones, or subtle cues can guide users toward key moments without adding extra visual clutter.
Use falloff naturally.
Sound should fade naturally as distance increases. Large spaces can use broader fall-off curves, whereas smaller environments may need tighter controls. Avoid having multiple sounds overlap too much which can overwhelm a user.
Support discovery.
Spatial audio can encourage exploration. A soft sound in the distance can reveal new content or hidden layers of an experience.
Trace's interaction system allows creators to combine Spatial audio with triggers, animations, and immersive presentations. This helps build nuanced experiences where both sound and visuals are subtly integrated into the environment.
• An AR tour where a narrator's voice appears from exhibits as you approach them.
• A holographic dinosaur in a trace AR scene whose roar bellows into the space from its exact position and reverberates against the walls.
• An instructional spatial presentation that plays audio from the back side of a machine, helping users locate the next step.
• Ambient soundscapes that adapt to distance, that can create mood and presence inside an AR environment.
• Spatial audio is more than just surround sound. It anchors a virtual sound to a physical location in a space.
• Spatial audio doesn't require photorealistic visuals to be effective. Even simple objects gain realism with this technique.
• Spatial audio doesn't replace visuals. It complements them and reduces user overload.
Spatial audio helps AR feel alive. When sound comes from the right location, an experience becomes intuitive and believable. These sounds support presence, guide attention, and strengthen the connection between digital content and your physical world.
Learn about augmented reality or start creating your own experiences.
