A Qualitative Investigation of Binaural Spatial Music in Virtual Reality

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) games and applications strive to create as believable an illusion of “being there” in the virtual environment as possible. This implies fidelity in all aspects of technical reproduction, including the spatial qualities of audio content. “Spatial music” is a phenomenon that has incited growing interest among researchers, sound engineers and composers. Even though VR offers a perfect environment for spatial music experiences and experiments, most music soundtracks are typically presented to the player without situational spatial positioning or other game-scene-related spatial cues. This article studies how people experience spatial sound and music in a multisensory VR context, using multidisciplinary technical and artistic methodologies. It examines a VR experience with two music conditions: a normal stereo music soundtrack, and a spatially auralised music soundtrack. Qualitative interviews were conducted to gather information about the subjective experiences of music spatialisation in the VR experience, and the data gathered was evaluated using qualitative content analysis. The data reveals advantages and disadvantages of music spatialisation in VR, as well as the potential to increase immersion and to affect players’ perceptions of virtual spaces. The findings indicate that spatial music could enhance the illusion of “being there” in the virtual environment.