Our involvement in spatial audio goes back to the beginnings of the company with the Experimental Sound Field at Glastonbury and investigations into Ambisonics. These early geometry-dependent systems were impressive but not flexible enough to utilise the shape of the venue. With the Holophonix platform, we have a spatial processor that meets our high standards of audio quality and a system that isn’t geometry dependent. If you would like to discuss spatial audio for a venue, event or special project, get in touch.

Early Explorations into Spatial Audio

Funktion-One has been involved in spatial audio since the introduction of Michael Gurzon’s Ambisonics in the 1970s and the BBC’s adoption of the format and surround sound broadcasts using UHJ encoding. Having experienced this at the time, Funktion-One founder Tony Andrews was completely sold on the excitement of moving sound and embarked on a mission to explore the subject, including early experiments at Finsbury Park Astoria with Public Image’s Johnny Rotten. This culminated in 1992 when Andrews approached Michael Eavis with the idea of hosting what became known as the Experimental Sound Field at Glastonbury Festival. At the time, electronic dance music was still emerging into public consciousness and was often viewed with suspicion. Eavis was initially hesitant, concerned it would be a rave, but ultimately agreed to allocate space on the edge of the site. This would prove to be the first time that both electronic music and spatial audio would be part of the festival programme.

The Experimental Sound Field attracted around 8,000 people on the Saturday night, gathered within a four-point surround system mixed side by side with the performers at FOH using the Pink Floyd Quadrophonic desk, to experience a new kind of musical presentation. Artists included some figures from what would become the electronic music scene, such as Darren Emerson and Underworld. The project played a critical role in establishing electronic music at Glastonbury, paving the way for what would later become the Dance Tent and, ultimately, Silver Hayes. We have always been excited by what spatial audio can do, even in stereo, but sceptical of approaches that compromise audio quality. For us, the integrity, impact and emotional force of the sound must be preserved while opening up new creative possibilities. The Holophonix spatial audio platform meets these criteria.

Why We Like the Holophonix Spatial Audio Platform

The Holophonix platform meets our extremely high audio standards and is not geometry dependent. Funktion-One spatial audio systems can be designed for any space and existing stereo systems can be augmented with additional loudspeakers rather than requiring a complete redesign. When it comes to sonic integrity, we share the same values. The Holophonix team are technically rigorous and open in their approach and the system expands creative possibilities while preserving sound quality. The Holophonix platform is designed specifically for live sound spatialisation and related applications. It supports true object-based mixing, multiple 2D and 3D rendering approaches, and processor-based operation for low-latency, high-channel-count deployment. It is built around practical live workflow as well as advanced research, with algorithms developed through IRCAM-linked research and hardware options that support Dante-based I/O.

[Photos by Linda Koster]

Funktion-One Loudspeakers in Spatial Audio Systems

Throughout our development we have been focused on understanding the qualities necessary in loudspeaker performance to maximise the imagery of standard stereo, which gives our systems a significant advantage in spatial audio. Our loudspeakers are renowned for their clarity, low distortion, excellent transient response and well-controlled directivity. These qualities support accurate localisation and enable the full dimensionality of a spatial audio system. We have always been sceptical of approaches that promote “immersive” at the expense of audio quality because without sufficient audio quality, the full dimensional possibilities are compromised. The objective is to preserve the integrity, impact and emotional force of the sound while opening up new creative possibilities. With Holophonix, we have a platform that allows this to be realised.

Neushoorn Advances Live Sound with Funktion-One and Holophonix

A recent example of this approach can be seen at Neushoorn in Leeuwarden, Netherlands where More AV collaborated with Funktion-One and Holophonix to deliver an impressive spatial audio system for the venue’s 750-capacity main hall.

Watch the Neushoorn video below and read the Mondo DR story here.

Interested in a Funktion-One Spatial Audio System for your Project?

If you are exploring spatial audio for a venue, event or special project, get in touch. We can help you assess the application, design the system and develop an approach that delivers the creative benefits of spatial audio without compromising sound quality.