Immersive Capture in Practice: An Evening with IDL at Do No Harm Studios

At the heart of the studio is an impressive 23’ × 27’ × 18’ variable-acoustic recording space, designed to allow the room itself to become an integral part of the recording process. The studio features a complete IDL 7.0.4 Immersive Capture Array, a vintage Steinway D concert grand piano, DW drum kit, and a full Ex Machina Dolby Atmos monitoring system, creating an environment where immersive recording can be captured, evaluated, mixed, and experienced within a single facility. A highlight of the evening will be the introduction of the world’s first implementation of the “Bud Lift”—a remotely controlled system that provides variable vertical positioning of the full IDL 7.0.4 Immersive Capture Array. Working in concert with the studio’s variable acoustics, the system allows engineers, producers, and musicians to optimize the height with the room acoustic relationship of the overhead immersive microphones for different sources, including drum kit, grand piano, solo performers, and ensembles. Rather than simply discussing immersive recording theory, attendees will have an opportunity to hear the results. A selection of immersive recordings captured with the IDL system will be presented through the studio’s full Dolby Atmos monitoring environment, demonstrating how microphone position, array height, room acoustics, and the natural interaction between musicians and the recording space contribute to the final sublime listening experience. The evening is intended to be both technical and informal, providing AES members, recording engineers, producers, educators, students, musicians, and other audio professionals an opportunity to experience a purpose-built immersive recording environment, exchange ideas, and hear immersive capture firsthand. Parking: Plenty of free off-street parking is available. Food & Drinks Beverages and light bites will be served—and, weather permitting, we’ll finish the evening around a comfortable outdoor fire pit. Come to listen, learn, exchange ideas—and hear what happens when the room, the musicians, and the microphone array work together as one recording system!