Clubhouse, a voice-only chat app has launched a spatial audio feature that will make voices sound as if they are coming from different directions, to make conversations and virtual performances more realistic.
Backed by venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, the app which started as an invite-only app and recently opened to all users has attracted a lot of celebrities and CEOs with thousands of listeners in different chatrooms. Clubhouse, said more than 700,000 rooms are now created each day, up from 300,000 in May.
However, the competition in the social platform scene has intensified since Clubhouse came on board with major tech companies such as Facebook, Twitter, and Spotify that have their own social audio chat features.
The new surround sound feature will help Clubhouse embark on a booming performance and entertainment room in the app.
Clubhouse said “When you’re in the audience, you’ll now hear the people around you in 3D, which makes the experience a bit more lifelike and human. It’s also easier for your brain to track who is talking, thanks to subtle spatial cues. Spatial audio works best with headphones, wired or otherwise.”
The feature will start slowly rolling out as the default experience for all new iOS users. Users who prefer the old listening experience can turn spatial audio off anytime in settings.
How it works:
Our brain is an amazing instrument that processes cues like distance, frequency, vibration to understand where a sound is coming from.
To create the spatial audio experience, the Clubhouse software first assigns a specific spatial position to each speaker in a room, taking care to evenly distribute speakers for maximum intelligibility.
It then applies a HRTF and some additional audio processing for each incoming audio stream to make the audio for that speaker seem to the listener that it is coming from the specified position.
It can even do this for stereo sources (e.g., music) to preserve the stereo effect in the spatial audio environment.
In addition to launching a spatial audio, Clubhouse has also released a new resource to support creators’ success on the platform – the Creator Commons. From Clubhouse 101 and tips about planning and production to creator soundbites and information about working with brands and agencies, everything a creator needs to be successful on Clubhouse is included.
Clubhouse is also introducing this month’s app icon, Leah Lamarr, the creator of Hot on the Mic, one of the most popular comedy shows on the platform. Leah’s journey on Clubhouse began last December when she was feeling lonely after a breakup and joined in order to ask a relationship expert some questions. While on stage she made some jokes and was stunned by the wave of laughter and positive feedback from the audience.
