List of Ambisonic Software
Main article: Ambisonics
This is a list of currently maintained or legacy Ambisonic software tools.
Currently maintained Ambisonic software
This list is by definition incomplete. Please contribute.
free/open source
| Name | Description | Author | Platform | License |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ambdec | Two-band decoder with near-field compensation, up to 3rd order periphonic | Adriaensen, Fons | JACK (Linux, OSX) | GPL2 |
| AMB plugins | Comprehensive set of Ambisonic panners, rotators and utility plugins from first to third order | Adriaensen, Fons | LADSPA | GPL2 |
| tetraproc | A-to-B-format converter for tetrahedral microphones, particularly the TetraMic | Adriaensen, Fons | JACK (Linux, OSX) | GPL2 |
| jconvolver | A flexible real-time matrix convolution engine with some Ambi-friendly extras, good for reverb and Matrix encoding experiments | Adriaensen, Fons | JACK (Linux, OSX) | GPL2 |
| zita-dpl1 | Multichannel digital peak limiter suitable for mastering HOA files | Adriaensen, Fons | JACK (Linux, OSX) | mixed |
| zita-rev1 | Algorithmic reverb engine with B-format output | Adriaensen, Fons | JACK (Linux, OSX) | GPL2 |
| aliki | A swept-sine measurement and impulse response deconvolution tool, useful for creating IR reverbs and speaker calibration | Adriaensen, Fons | Linux, OSX | GPL2 |
| ATK | The Ambisonic Toolkit, for SuperCollider3, includes panners, decoders, and morphing tools such as dominance. First-order | Anderson, Joseph | SC3 (Linux, OSX, Win) | GPL |
| HoaLibrary | A higher-order Ambisonics library with applications | CICM MSH Paris-Nord | Max, Pd, VST | GPL |
| bformenc1 | Csound opcode for third-order Ambisonic panning and a companion decoder | Furse, Wiggins, and Adriaensen | Csound | LGPL |
| CUBEmixer | Mixer and decoder for higher-order Ambisonics, including binaural rendering | IEM Graz | Pd | GPL |
| SoundScape Renderer | A renderer for horizontal-only HOA, wave field synthesis and binaural | INT Universität Rostock | Linux, OSX | GPL3 |
| Ambisonics Externals for MaxMSP | A set of externals for MaxMSP for Ambisonics surround sound processing and source-control in three dimensions | ICST Zürich | Max (Win, OSX) | LGPL |
| ambiX plugin suite | Ambisonic utilities up to 5th order, including higher order "warp" (aka dominance) using a t-design approach, and adaptors for different HOA formats | Kronlachner, Matthias | VST (Win, OSX), Linux (LV2) | GPL2 |
| zita/OSX | Easy-to-install ports of Fons Adriaensen's software | Kronlachner, Matthias | VST OSX | GPL2 |
| VVMicVST | Virtual microphones to convert B-format to 5.1 or stereo | VVAudio | VST (Win, OSX) | GPL2 |
| Ambisonic Decoder Toolbox (ADT) | MATLAB/GNU Octave toolbox for designing Ambisonic Decoders. Supports a number of design techniques including mode-matching, AllRAD, and uniform energy. Works to arbitrary orders and with all commonly used normalization and channel order conventions. Produces decoders as FAUST programs that can be compiled to plugins for a variety of hosts, as well as AmbDec and ambiX configuration files. | Heller, Aaron | any supported by FAUST | AGPL |
proprietary/closed source
| Name | Description | Author | Platform | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapture3D | OpenAL-compatible game sound engine, player and studio tools including a first to fourth order decoder | Blue Ripple Sound | Win, OSX | GBP 30-599 |
| TOA plugins | Various suites of third order plugins including panners, converters, visualizers, manipulators, reverbs, upmixers and decoders | Blue Ripple Sound | VST (Win, OSX) | free - GBP 349 |
| AmbiExplorer | A first-order B-format binaural and virtual mic renderer/player for Android which can use your phone's sensors or an external Bluetooth sensor for head tracking. Includes 52 selectable HRTF sets from the IRCAM Listen library | Centeno, Hector | Android 4.x | USD 4.51 |
| Ambisonic Studio B2X plugins | A comprehensive suite of panners, converters and utility plugins from first to fifth order | Courville, Daniel | VST, AU (OSX) | free |
| DecoPro | First- and second-order decoder with variable order weighting | gerzonic | VST (Win, OSX) | USD 99-399 |
| HARPEX-B | Parametric first-order decoder and higher-order upmixer | Harpex Ltd. | VST, RTAS, AU (Win, OSX) | GBP 498 |
| HARPEX-B Player | Parametric first-order file player and decoder | Harpex Ltd. | Linux, Win, OSX | free |
| SoundField SurroundZone 2 | First-order B-format to 7.1 and stereo converter | TSL Professional Products Ltd. | TDM, RTAS, VST (Win, OSX) | free |
| WigWare | Decoders, panners and reverbs for first to third order | Wiggins, Bruce | VST (Win, OSX) | free |
| VVTetraVST | A- to B-format converter for the CoreSound TetraMic and other tetrahedral microphones | VVAudio | VST (Win, OSX) | free |
Legacy Ambisonic software
For the purpose of this page, "legacy" means no updates in the last 5 years. It does not imply the software is non-functional, although it may not work as advertised on recent operating systems and DAW hosts.
free/open source
| Name | Description | Author | Platform | License |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Music Toolkit | Collection contains first- and second-order panners, simple decoders and some B-format utility plugins | Furse, Richard | LADSPA | GPL2 |
proprietary/closed source
| Name | Description | Author | Platform | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed B-format utilities | first-order decoders, panners, B-format mixer | Chen, Thomas | Creamware Pulsar | unknown |
| Ambisonic Bidules | Collection of first- to third-order Encoders, Decoders, Zoom (up to 2nd), and a binaural renderer | Digenis, Aristotel | Plogue Bidule (Win/OSX) | free |
| bfplayer | First-order Ambisonic file player | Dobson, Richard | Win | free |
| VST Ambisonic Tools | First- and third-order encoders, virtual microphones, and zoom | York University Music Technology Group | VST (Win, Mac OS 9) | free |
| Ambisonic externals for Max/MSP | Third-order 2D/3D encoders, decoders, rotator, granulator | Wakefield, Graham | Max | free |