Binaural audio has been around for well over a century. Traditionally, creating a convincing three-dimensional recording meant placing microphones in or near someone’s ears, often using a dummy head, to capture sound as we naturally hear it. The result, when played through headphones, can create the remarkable illusion of sounds existing all around the listener.
But what if you didn’t have to record an environment to experience one? What if you could create that environment yourself?
With REAPER and NuSpace Audio’s Muze 3D plugin, we can take ordinary recordings and place them in a virtual three-dimensional world. Sounds can be positioned in front, behind, above, below, or anywhere around the listener. We can create movement, build immersive soundscapes, and turn traditional stereo recordings into entirely new listening experiences.
And now, we can do it accessibly, right from the keyboard!
I’ve developed a collection of Lua scripts for REAPER that make working with Muze easier for screen-reader users. These scripts provide keyboard control of essential spatial parameters, allow you to record and recall positioning and movement presets, and simplify routing audio between tracks for more elaborate binaural productions.
A quick note about spatial automation: To automate movement using these scripts, you’ll need an item on the track containing the Muze instance. Select that item and run Prepare Selected Item for Editing.
the included position preset tools offer additional possibilities.
Below, you’ll find a short audio demonstration of the scripts in action, along with the complete Lua script collection and an accessible HTML README containing installation instructions and detailed explanations.
Whether you’re experimenting with binaural audio for the first time or looking for new ways to create immersive productions, I hope these tools open up new exciting possibilities!
