Working in collaboration with VR production company Hidden Content, HOBO created the audio mix for “Anatomy of Surf,” featuring pro surfer Ian Walsh, and “Anatomy of Ski” with Olympic gold medalist Bode Miller – two highly immersive VR experiences that bring users the excitement of surfing a killer wave or skiing down hill at 70mph all in a virtual environment.
HOBO engineer Diego Jimenez created 2 distinct mixes: one in traditional stereo for a Samsung exhibit in the New York in which users would strap into an actual pair of skis or surfboard to add the one-of-a-kind experience and for Vimeo; and a second “360 Spatial Audio” or “object-based” mix for Facebook, incorporating emerging VR audio technology designed to heighten the VR experience exponentially.
“What is unique about spatial mixing is that the audio changes as you move your head, so if you turn your head to left the audio perspective will change in relation to your movement, just like it does in real life,” Jimenez says. ”Spatial audio makes you feel like you are there – it takes the VR experience to a whole other level.”
In addition to Jimenez’s work on the both the stereo and spatial audio mixes, HOBO’s Oscar Convers and Stephen Davies composed original music designed to integrate with the immersive sound for “Anatomy of Surf” and “Anatomy of Sky” respectively.
