Acousmodules

SpatStruments

The Guide!

Spatialization

Effects

Sampling

Synthesis

Utilities

Win32/Linux

MIDI/Controllers

Resources

Ces dernières années ont marqué une évolution très rapide du paysage spatial sonore.
Sous l'impulsion vraissemblable de la Réalité Virtuelle, le vieux concept de "son 3D" s'est vu rajeunir et s'épanouir avec le "son immersif", et on est passé d'une situation où le 5.1 et l'octophonie semblaient déjà osés à une explosion du codage ambisonique et des dômes, où même des éditeurs de logiciels plutôt frileux comme Avid et Steinberg se sont senti obligés de sauter quelques étapes ;-)

De mon côté, avec la série de plugins 64 bits pour Windows et MacOS depuis 2018,  il est devenu nécessaire de mettre à jour et de repenser l'ensemble des tutoriels que j'avais déjà consacrés aux Acousmodules et à leur environnement.
Car du côté des utilisateurs, les choses paraissent encore souvent compliquées, et les présentations faites par certains éditeurs de logiciels entretiennent parfois une confusion dans les notions et dans l'utilisation des outils.
Les hôtes qui supportent le multicanal jusqu'à 64 canaux ne sont toujours pas légion, et si Reaper, Bidule et Usine Hollyhock représentent à mon avis les meilleurs choix, il en est qui sont techniquement excellents mais dans lesquels la création multiphonique en haute résolution reste comparativement difficile (Ardour, Pyramix...).

Les ressources présentes sur cette page devraient aider à clarifier certains aspects de l'utilisation des Acousmodules et du travail multiphonique en général ?

Recent years have marked a very rapid evolution of the spatial landscape sound.
Under the realistic impulse of Virtual Reality, the old concept of "3D sound" was rejuvenated and blossomed with the "immersive sound", and we went from situation where 5.1 and octophony seemed already dared to an explosion of ambisonics technology and domes, where even rather cautious software editors like Avid and Steinberg felt obliged to skip a few steps ;-)

On my side, with the 64-bit series of plugins for Windows and MacOS since 2018, it has become necessary to update and rethink the whole tutorials I had already devoted to the Acousmodules and their environment.
Because on the user side, things still seem often complicated, and presentations by some software publishers sometimes maintain a confusion in concepts and in the use of tools.
Hosts that support up to 64 channels are still not legion, and if Reaper, Bidule and Usine Hollyhock represent in my opinion the best choices, there are some who are technically excellent but in which the high-resolution spaces creation remains quite difficult (Ardour, Pyramix...).

Resources on this page should help to clarify certain aspects of the use of Acousmodules and multiphonic work in general ?

T U T O R I A L S

Tuto-Start : how to start a multichannel project in various hosts (Reaper, Bidule, Audiomulch, VSTHost, Usine...)

Quelques planches illustrées (currently only in French, but the pictures can be understandable...)

O S   C o m p a t i b i l i t y

 H O S T S    C O M P A T I B I L I T Y

minimum 8 channels: x = OK / (x) = working but limited / (-) = supported but doesn't work / b = with integrated bridge / < = convert to VST2 / - format not supported

type

channels

OS

VST2 32

VST2 64

VST3 64

MacAU

MacVST3

WINE

Acoustica

editor (+ multitrack)

10

Mac / Win

x

x

x

x

?

-

Ardour

multitrack (nearly free)

(128 ?)

Mac / Win / Lin

x

x

x

x

x

?

Audiomulch

modular

32

Mac / Win

x

-

-

-

-

-

AudiopluginHost

host (free)

unlimited?

Mac

-

-

-

x

x

-

Audition

editor (+ multitrack)

32 (6)

Mac / Win

-

x

x

x

-

Axoa

other

32 ?

Mac / Win

-

?

?

?

?

-

Bespoke

modular

16 +

Mac / Win

-

?

(-)

-

?

-

Bidule

modular / plugin

128 / 64

Mac / Win

(x)

x

x

x

x

-

Bitwig

multitrack (via stereo busses)

?

Mac / Win / Lin

-

(x)

(x)

(x)

(x)

?

Bluecat Patchwork

host + plugin

8

Mac / Win

-

(x)

(x)

(x)

(x)

-

Cakewalk / Sonar

multitrack (free)

8

Win

(x)

(x)

(x)

-

-

-

Cantabile (+ LE)

host (LE free)

unlimited?

Win

x

x

x

-

-

-

Carla

host (free)

?

Mac / Win / Lin

b

x

x

x

?

?

DaVinci Resolve Studio

video + Fairlight

24

Mac / Win / Lin

(x)

(x)

(<)

?

?

?

DDMF Metaplugin

plugin

8

Mac / Win

(b)

x

x

x

-

Digital Performer

multitrack

12

Mac / Win

-

(-)

(-)

(-)

(-)

-

Element

host / plugin (free)

128 / 34-62

Mac / Win / Lin

b

x

x

x

x

?

EnergyXT

multitrack (in modular view)

(32)

Win (Mac / Lin)

x

x

-

-

-

?

FL Studio

multitrack

?

Mac / Win

-

(x)

(x)

(x)

(x)

-

GigPerformer

host

unlimited?

Mac / Win

-

x

x

x

?

-

IRCAM Lab TS2

editor

(256)

Mac / Win

-

?

(x)

(-)

?

-

JUCE VST Host

host (free)

unlimited?

Win

x

x

x

-

-

-

Live

multitrack (stereo busses or M4L)

16 ?

Mac / Win

-

(x)

(x)

(x)

(x)

-

LiveProfessor

host

64

Mac / Win

x

x

x

x

?

-

Logic Pro

multitrack

8

Mac

-

-

-

(-)

-

-

Max/Msp

modular

unlimited?

Mac / Win

-

x

x

x

x

-

MuLab

multitrack

(32)

Mac / Win

-

x

<

x

-

-

Nuendo

multitrack

24 (+ amb3)

Mac / Win

(x)

x

VSTi

-

VSTi

-

nTrack Studio

multitrack

8

Mac / Win

-

?

?

?

?

-

Pedal Board

host (free)

16

Mac / Win

x

x

-

-

-

-

Podium

multitrack

32

Win

x

x

-

-

-

-

Protools Ultimate

multitrack

10 (+ amb3)

Mac / Win

-

-

-

-

-

-

Premiere Pro

video + multitrack

32

Mac / Win

-

x

x

x

x

-

Pyramix

multitrack

24 / 128 / 384

Win

-

x

x

-

-

-

QLab Pro 

other

?

Mac

-

-

-

x

?

-

QwertyGO 

other

16

Mac / Win

x

-

-

-

-

-

Reaper

multitrack

64

Mac / Win / Lin

b

x

x

x

x

?

ReSample

editor

8

Mac / Win

(x)

(x)

-

(x)

?

-

Sequoia

multitrack

32

Win

b?

(x)

(<)

-

-

-

Soundforge

editor

32

Mac / Win

-

x

x

x

?

-

Studio One

multitrack (via stereo busses)

?

Mac / Win

-

VSTi

VSTi

-

VSTi

?

Tracktion/Waveform

multitrack (in racks) 

(63)

Mac / Win / Lin

(x)

x

x

x

x

?

Twisted Waves

editor

unlimited?

Mac

-

-

-

(x)

-

Usine Hollyhock

modular (+ free version)

64

Mac / Win

-

x

x

x

(x)

-

VSTBoard

host (free)

?

Win

x

-

-

-

-

-

VSTHost & SAVIHost

host (free)

32

Win

x

x

x

-

-

-

Wavelab Pro

editor + multitrack

24

Mac / Win

-

x

<

-

?

-

Wavosaur

editor (free)

16

Win

x

x

-

-

-

-

Notes :
- most of the working hosts (Ardour 7.3, Bidule, Element, Max/Msp, Premiere, Reaper, Usine ...) accept plugins with a different or a higher number of channels that they are set for in their tracks or outputs, so don't worry about the numbers and choose the plugins that have at least the value you need
- host that are limited to 8 channels busses (Cakewalk, DaVinci Resolve free, Logic Pro, nTrack Studio, Protools Ultimate with a wraper like DDMF) are mentionned but there is not much interest to use the Acousmodules with them, and anyway they often accept only the precise number of channels and there will be very Acousmodules that have only 8
- Audio Editors (Acoustica, Audition, Resample, Soundforge, Twisted Waves, Wavosaur): even if it works technically the Acousmodules generally need to be controlled in realtime from gestures or automations for which this kind of software is not adapted
- Nuendo, Resolve Studio and Sequoia: the channels' mapping of the VST3 Acousmodules is not recognized in these hosts, but in Windows you can convert them as VST2 64 (just rename the .vst3 file inside the plugins folders as .dll!). The reason is that Steinberg has tied the VST3 multichannel specs to a series of named/predetermined physical speaker arrangements which tops out at 22.2. So to use free speakers arrangements with more channels like with the VST2 format hosts have to override or to ignore these specs. Some do, some don't. The consequence is that if they follow only Steinberg's way the multichannel IOs of these plugins are not recognized. Another problem, even with VST2, is that these hosts generally need the plugins to present exactlly a specific number of channels, so there are very few Acousmodules that can be used with them :-(
- some hosts (Cantabile, Mulab, Waveform ...) are technically able to handle multichannel plugins very well, but their implementation make alas this use nearly impracticable (too much complicated to connect every channels)
- MacOS VST3 support is possible but due to Apple security policy it is limited to Intel versions
- the VST2 32 bits plugins must work in 64 bit host which have internal bridging (and of course in 32 bits hosts)
- some hosts support MIDI inputs in VST3 FX, others don't or will later, must try ...
- special cases: Bitwig, Live and FL Studio: they don't have multichannel busses but there is workarounds that allow to use some multichannel plugins with limited features; Bespoke: crash when opening the plugins; Digital Performer: multichannel I/O are not recognized; Logic Pro: plugins that have exactly 8 inputs and outputs must logically work on a 7.1 bus but they may not pass AU validation; Twisted Waves: the plugins need to have exactly the same number of channels as the audio files, which has little chance to happen with the Acousmodules

To be listened with headphones !

In French only (janvier 2019)

Configuration de base dans Reaper (29'40)

La série Spat3D (45')

Le SpatMass (26'50)

L'AnimaSpat (20')

Méthodes alternatives : le SpatKeys, le SpatLine et le MassBlender (44'50)

La série Focus (36'50)

 G E S T U R E   C O N T R O L L E R S

It's a selection of those I find to be interesting for spatial gestures to be used with the acousmodules.

type

dimensions / axis

others

Polyphonic Aftertouch

MPE

connection

runtime

use

3 axis (or more) controllers

Leap Motion

infrared optical hand tracker

XYZ x 2, hands orientation, fingers bending

-

-

-

USB

Geko or other apps

all plugins based on a 3D or Layers representation space

Novint Falcon

3D joystick

XYZ motorized

-

-

-

USB

proprietary + GlovePIE

GameTrak

3D joystick x 2

2 x XYZ / AED

-

-

-

USB

HID + conversion

Genki Wave

ring

Yaw, Pitch, Roll

button

-

-

BTLE

MIDI

 good complement for tablets or control surfaces

HotHand USB

ring

Pitch, Roll, Shake

-

-

HF

MIDI

Breath & Byte Controller 2

breath controller

breath, byte, head Pitch, Roll

-

-

-

USB

MIDI

for the samplers and the synthesizers, complement of a control surface or a keyboard

Space Navigator

6 axis joystick

XYZ + Yaw, Pitch, Roll

-

-

-

USB

proprietary + conversion

3D Rudder

foot game controller

Yaw, Pitch, Roll

L/R pressure

-

-

USB

HID + conversion

control surfaces with polyphonic pressure

Sensel Morph

tactile surface and pads (full MPE)

XYZ

-

x

x

USB and BT

MIDI

MPESampler, TouchSampler,
other samplers, SpatTouch,
TouchFilter,
TouchShifter ...

Erae Touch

15" tactile surface (full MPE)

XYZ

-

(x)

x

USB

MIDI

Joué Pro

tactile pads (full MPE)

XYZ

-

x

x

USB

MIDI

Linnstrument

128/200 tactile pads grid (full MPE)

XYZ

-

x

x

USB

MIDI

Roli Seaboard

2/4 octaves soft keyboard (full MPE)

XYZ

sliders, pad

(x)

x

USB

MIDI

Striso Board

61 tactile soft buttons grid with motion (MPE)

XYZ

Yaw, Pitch, Roll

x

x

USB

MIDI

Exquis

54 buttons (partial MPE)

 XZ

knobs, slider

(x)

USB

MIDI

Worlde Orca Pad

64 buttons grid

Z

-

x

-

USB

MIDI

SpatTouch, TouchSampler, TouchFilter, TouchShifter

Roli Lightpad Block

tactile surface (full MPE)

XYZ

-

x

x

USB / BTLE

MIDI

BlockPlayer 

Zoom ARQ-96

32 tactile zones ring with motion

Z

Pitch, Roll, buttons

x

-

USB (BT)

MIDI

ARQSampler

Lumatone

 280 buttons

Z

2 wheels

 x

 -

 MIDI

 MIDI

KM QuNeo

16 XYZ pads

XYZ

sliders,buttons

x

-

USB

MIDI

type

dimensions / axis

others

Polyphonic Aftertouch

MPE

connection

runtime

use

others ...

Sylphyo

wind controller

Yaw, Pitch, Roll

breath, slider

-

-

USB / HF

MIDI direct

SweetSampler, StretchSampler

Karlax

special

Yaw, Pitch, Roll

keys, slider

(x)

-

application

?

Dualo

3 octaves keyboard (vel + mono pressure)

Pitch, Roll

2 sliders

-

-

USB

MIDI direct

SweetSampler ?

Orbit

16 buttons

Pitch, Roll

wheel

-

-

USB / HF

MIDI direct

 (SplitSampler)

12 Step

13 notes foot keyboard

-

-

x

-

USB

MIDI direct

?

GripBeats

32 notes wearable

Yaw, Pitch, Roll ?

-

-

-

BTLE

Multitouch software controllers

OS

Chameleon

MIDI

W

Lemur

iOS, A

MIDI Designer

iOS

OSC/Pilot

OSC, MIDI

W

Symphony

W

TouchDAW

A

TouchOSC

iOS, A, W

Xotopad

MIDI

W

 O T H E R   F R E E   M U L T I C H A N N E L   P L U G I N S   &   T O O L S

(for not free ones, you can look here)

Spatialization

Open spaces :
Dominique Blanchemain Space3D64 (Lin) : 64 channels 3D panner
Ear Production Suite : Object Based series (spherical only)
GRM-Tools Space Master : 64 channels space converter (DBAP)
SoundSquares : 64 channels 2D multi-panner
SPARTA : 64 channels VBAP Panner (spherical only)

Ambisonics only :
Facebook 360 Spatial Workstation : ambisonic (up to 3rd order) and binaural production
IEM : ambisonic tools up to 7th order
Mathias Kronlachner Ambix : various tools up to 7th order
o3a Core : 3rd order tools
Rode Soundfield : 3D surround ambisonic converter and decoder (1st order and beam forming up to 7.1)
SPARTA and Compass : advanced ambisonic tools up to 7th order

"Effects"

Mathias Kronlachner MCFX : filters, delays and convolution up to 64 channels
Melda Productions : "free bundle" with about 20 plugins that support up to 64 channels (wrongly named "ambisonic")
PaulStretch : 32 channels time-stretching
Voxengo : a few 8 channels plugins
MCFXvolver : convolution up to 128 channels

Instruments

VCVRack : modular synth
Bespoke Synth : modular synth

Binaural

Anaglyph : advanced binaural panner
Beyer Virtual Studio : 5.1 to binaural converter
DearVR Ambi Micro : ambisonics to binaural converter
Google Resonance :
GRM SpaceVR : 64 channels to binaural converter (DBAP)
Mathias Kronlachner Ambix : based on real spaces IRs
MyBino : 48 channels to binaural converter (VBAP)
Oculus Spatializer : binaural panner

Standalone apps & utilities

ADMix (Mac, Win) : Object Based tools
ASIO4All (Win) : universal driver that allows devices aggregation
Hourglass beta (Win) : up to 64 channels granulator (you must ask for the 1.50 beta version)
Mammut (Mac, Win) : multichannel spectral processing
Metasurface (Lin) : up to 64 channels looper and effects (Dominique Blanchemain)
NMFDemix : sound demixing to multichannel (command line)
PaulStretch (Mac, Win) : 32 channels time-stretching
SpatGris (Mac, Win) : standalone panner (VBAP and LBAP)
SoundGrain (Mac, Win) : up to 16 channels granulator
Sound Particles (Mac, Win) : VBAP and ambisonics (sphere only), render is limited to 15 bits in the free version
WaveWizard (Win) : audio files converter
Wave Agent (Mac, Win) : audio files converter (32 channels max)
Waveshop (Win) : simple wave editor (no channels limit but no plugins) 
WFS Designer (Win) : unfinished Wave Field Synthesis tool
Zirkonium (Mac) : VBAP panner with integrated player

Hosts

Ardour (Lin, Mac, Win) : DAW (theoretically unlimited channels, VST2 / AU / LADSPA)
Cantabile Lite (Win) : simple host (32 channels, VST2)
Cakewalk (Win) : DAW (8 channels, VST2 / VST3)
Carla (Lin, Mac, Win) : modular host (64 channels, VST2)
DaVinci Resolve (Lin, Mac, Win) : video + DAW (8 channels, VST3 /AU)
Element (Lin, Mac, Win) : modular host (no channels limit ?, VST2 / VST3 / AU)
JUCE VST Host (Win) : modular host (no channels limit ?, VST2 / VST3)
Ossia Score (Lin, Mac, Win) : live performance aggregation (VST3 / AU)
Pedal Board (Win) : simple host (16 channels, VST2)
SAVIHost (Win) : to convert plugins to standalone applications (32 channels, VST2 / VST3)
Tracktion Waveform 11 (Lin, Mac, Win) : DAW (63 channels, VST2 / VST3)
Usine Hollyhock Free (Mac, Win) : modular host (64 channels, VST3 / AU)
VSTHost (Win) : modular host (32 channels, VST2 / VST3)
Wavosaur (Win) : wave editor (16 channels, VST2)

Audio routers (free or not)

BlackHole (Mac free) : up to 64 or 128 channels (used by SpatGris)
Jack (Lin, Mac, Win free) : possibly obsolete on Mac and Windows
LoopBeAudio (Win): up to 24 channels
ReaRoute (Win free) : with Reaper, up to 256 channels
ReaStream (Win Reaper free) : plugins, network up to 32 channels by plugin, introduces latency
Soundflower (Mac free) : now obsolete
Synchronous Audio Router (Win) : with device aggregation
Virtual Audio Cable (Win) : 8 channels by cable

Reaper's ReaSurround, GRM-Tools Spaces-3D and the spatialization Acousmodules series

ReaSurround

GRM-Tools Spaces-3D

Acousmodules

number of inputs

up to 64

up to 64

up to 2, 8, 16 (36, 64)

number of outputs

up to 64

up to 64

up to 18, 36, 48, 64, 80 or 128

method

Distance Based Amplitude Control (Absolute)
Distance Based Amplitude Control in influences intersection
(Absolute + Normalize)
Distance Based Amplitude Panning (Relative)

Distance Based Amplitude Panning
(with improvements)

Distance Based Amplitude Control
(with center and volume compensations)
+ Layer based

view

1 top view with height perspective simulation

1 view that can be either 3D, top or front

2 views (top and front)
+ optional 3D view in some plugins
single top view for the Layer based

inputs visibility

no option

no option

selectable

output visibility

no option

no option

selectable + colour

layouts edition

inline

separate editors for inputs and outputs

inline + dedicated plugin and app

import / export

no

yes

yes

edition method

mouse only

mouse and value entry

mouse only + value entry in editor

precision / easyness : horizontal plane

zoom possible but only to the center

zoomable interface, Top View selectable but there is always some perspective effect

non numerical values/entries, but big objects and precision mode with the Ctrl/Cmd key

precision / easyness :
vertical plane

values are shown when moved but the perspective effect on the bars lengths and the influences circles make it visually very confusing and practically unusable with high number of channels

zoomable interface, perspective depth can be changed, selectable front view

special Front View

distance settings

Influence per output + Diffusion level per input with Diffusion Bias (horizontal plane)

global Spread parameter, Horizontal priority

Area per output + global Area Volume + Distance Compensation + Center Compensation

area shape

no

linked to the Spread factor

from very exponential to very logarithmic

distance visualization

static (Influence circles) 

dynamic (small spheres)

dynamic (separated amplitude bars)

periphonic efficiency

depends on the mode : easy but weak in DBAP, may be difficult with other modes

easy, but compromise between precision and continuity (Spread and shape are linked)

can be tricky with the "3D" series,
easy with the Layers series

periphonic phantoms

in DBAP mode

good in 2D, DBAP dependant

Center Compensation parameter (works better in the Layer based versions)

position informations

coordinates during change / when selected

inline coordinates, amplitude

none

inputs links

parallel, rotate, shrink, go to speaker (not automatable)

always (separated inputs control is not possible !), according to layouts

2 inputs : X/Y/Z continuous symetry modes
8 / 16 inputs (SpatMass and AnimaSpat) : Shapes with morphing (automatable)

automations

X/Y/Z + density for each input

global XYZ, global orientation + spread (+ agitation)

2 / 16 inputs (Spat3D) : X/Y/Z for each input
8 / 16 inputs (SpatMass and AnimaSpat) : position and shapes parameters (no separate XYZ)

CPU resources (on the same computer / project)

2 x 64 : static 0.8%
automation : 0.9 to 1.0 %

2 x 64 : static
automation :

2 x 64 : static 0.7 %
automation : 1.6 to 2.0 %

others

inputs and outputs gains, level meters, zooms

agitation, trajectories

complex animations (AnimaSpat)

to resume

+
only one version for everything, lighter on CPU during automations, DBAP mode, non limited to panning, stability
-
not constant powered DBAP mode, confusing and difficult to use with a high number of speakers with height, the global parameters are not automatable, groups of inputs cannot be stored/recalled, works only inside Reaper...

+
only one version for everything, simple to edit, constant power DBAP, zoomable interface, complex trajectories
-
individual inputs cannot be controlled or automated, agitation (random) only animation, possible gain rejections of the DBAP method, not free ;-)

+
easy to set even with high number of speakers with height, Layer based versions, original spatial mass effects, complex 8 / 16 inputs automations with only a few global controllers and animations (AnimaSpat)
-
more complex to adjust than the other two, one must choose the appropriated version, limits of the DBAC method for periphonic speakers arrangements, CPU use during automation

Multichannels reverberations plugins (8 channels / o2 minimum)

(note that the acousmodules' reverbs are actually available only on Windows)

max channels

mode

type

max duration

settings

automations

 notes

CPU

Cockos ReaVerb

64

whole space, multiple IRs possible

IR

IR

UniVerb 64X

64

each channel is processed independantly but all share the same settings

hall

120"

Time, Hi Freq, Damp, each channel can be turned on/off independantly

Mix, Time, Hi Freq, Damp

DiffuseVerb 64X

64

independant channels processing with 3D neighbouring diffusion

hall

Time, Hi Freq, Damp, each channel can be turned on/off independantly

no

FocusVerb 64X

64

independant channels processing with variable size and position sphere based mix values

hall

Time, Hi Freq, Damp, each channel can be turned on/off independantly

Send, Time, Hi Freq, Damp

ScatterVerb 64X

64

each channel is processed independantly according to macro controls

hall

Time, Hi Freq, Damp, each channel can be turned on/off independantly

ZoneVerb 64

64

each channel is processed independantly according to the speakers graphic positions

hall

ColourVerb 64

64

each channel is processed independantly

synthetic IR

Noise seed, Harmonic tone, channel Derive, Noise/Harmonic balance, Length, graphic filter

IRVerb 16

1x16

IR

IR

IEM FdnReverb

64

whole space, delay depending on the channel number (1 is the shorter)

Fdn

about 10"

MeldaProductions

64

CharmVerb : multiple stereo
Convolution : the IR is repeated to fill the available channels

multiple / IR

Spacelab

24 / 256

 whole space according to the spatial format

multiple

Stratus 3D & Symphony 3D

22

 whole space according to the spatial format

multiple

channels 4/19 (LFE) are not processed!

Verberate Immersive

13.1

multiple

channel 4 (LFE) is not processed!

Flux/IRCAM

7.1.4

Zephyr

8

VBAP

LiquidSonics Cinematic Room

14

DearVR Pro

1x12

ambisonic mode

IEM FdnReverb

7th

Fdn

Flux/IRCAM

3rd

Zephyr

3rd

Noise Maker

3rd

+ standalone

Flux SpatRevolution

64

acoustic models

room simulation,

Usine Hollyhock

64

channel independant or mixed

Sound Trajectory

(ambisonic)

Spatial format conversions

Alternatives to the Space Converters: for spherical layouts only, and if you don't need precise points > 5th or 7th order ambisonics with IEM's encoder/decoder (free); for 3D surround and spherical, if you can spend some money > Flux Spat Revolution (1600 € + iLock + powerfull computer) or IRCAM's Panoramix (120 €); for everything, if you don't mind eyes bleeding and nervous breakdowns > Reaper's ReaSurround; for everything too > GRM-Tools SpaceMaster (free and the easiest to use).

Ins / Outs

method

speakers layouts

precision *

easyness **

CPU  Win/Mac ***

compatibility

ReaSurround
(not the "Pan" version)

64 / 64

DBAC 3D / DBAP

everything

good / average

good to bad (UI)

100 %

Reaper only

SpaceConverter-3L

64 / 64

DBAC 2D + Layers

everything

very good

good

29 % / 49 %

VST3 / AU

SpaceConverter-3D

36 / 36 - 64 / 64

DBAC 3D

meshed

good

average

45 % /

VST3 / AU

SpacedConvert 64

64 / 64

direct channels

everything

(direct)

good

VST3 / AU

ScaleLines 4X16

64 / 64

DBAC 1D + Layers

(dome)

very good

good

32 % /

VST3 / AU

SpaceInFaders

64 / 64 - 80 / 64

direct amplitudes

everything

very good

bad (slow)

43 % /

VST3 / AU

GRM-Tools SpaceMaster

64 / 64

DBAP

everything

good

good

200 % / 185 %

VST / AU

IEM Multiencoder + AllRADecoder

64 / 64

ambisonics

sphere based

bad to average (7th order)

very good

63 % / 64 %

VST / AU

Panoramix

64 / 64

VBAP / DBAP / ambisonics

sphere based

variable

average

(VBAP) high

standalone + bridge + OSC

Spat Revolution

64 / 64

VBAP / DBAP / LBAP / ambisonics

sphere based / everything

variable

good

(VBAP) extreme

standalone + bridge + plugin + OSC

ServerGRIS

128 / 128

VBAP / LBAP

sphere based / everything

variable

good /

 (VBAP)

MAC standalone + Jack + plugin + OSC

* possibility to render a single point and to choose how each point extends to its neighbours
** subjective, depends on . The standalone applications obviously need a more complicated setup since they relay on an audio (and OSC) bridge between them and the DAW.
*** in static mode, that is without automations. Comparison has been made with a 64 x 64 conversion on a Windows 10 and a MacOS computer in Reaper, with the ReaSurround taken as a 100 % base. The value is the one given by Reaper which is coherent with what is reported in the Task Manager (Windows) and the Activity Monitor (Mac). For the standalone applications the value is only based on what the system reports.