Clubhouse Introduces Spatial Audio

Social audio application Clubhouse introduced spatial audio technology last week. The feature works by assigning a specific spatial position to each speaker in a room, evenly distributing speakers for maximum intelligibility. It then applies a HRTF (head-related transfer function) and additional audio processing for each incoming audio stream in order to make the audio for that speaker seem to the listener that it is coming from the specified position. Spatial audio enables listeners to hear the people around them in 3D, making the experience more lifelike and easing the process of figuring out who is speaking. Clubhouse said it works best with headphones, either wired or wireless. Music and stereo sources are positioned, as well, and they will maintain their stereo separation. On the creator side, Clubhouse wrote in a blog post last week, “Imagine a ghost story where you can hear the evil spirit move around the haunted house or even whisper in your ear. Or a musical performance or comedy show where you can hear applause or laughter coming from every corner of a sold-out virtual club.” Spatial audio became the default experience for new iOS users last week, with Android to come soon, and users can opt to turn it off at any time via their settings. Clubhouse wrote, “We always say conversations on Clubhouse are like being at a great dinner or cocktail party—where you hear amazing people all around you, with new people dropping in and out and interesting ideas coming from all sides.” The app also introduced a new app icon, Leah Lamarr, creator of one of the most popular comedy shows on the platform, Hot on the Mic. Clubhouse said in a separate blog post last week that Lamarr joined Clubhouse last December after a breakup to ask a relationship expert some questions, and jokes she cracked while on stage drew a positive response from the audience, so she decided to help other aspiring comedians find their voice and grow an audience on the platform. She was able to quit her day job and turn to comedy full-time thanks to a combination of in-app payments, live shows and sponsorship deals. Clubhouse wrote, “Leah has, in many ways, been an unofficial icon for months now. Her club, Hot on the Mic, consistently hosts some of the most popular comedy rooms on Clubhouse, and many of her 230,000+ followers can often be found in the audience of her real-world standup shows. When she's not hosting Clubhouse rooms from her bed, Leah can be found performing at venues around the U.S. Most recently, she joined fellow Clubhouse regular Dane Cook at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas for a packed crowd. Finally, the platform introduced Creator Commons, a resource to support creators on its platform. It offers creator soundbites, information about working with agencies and brands and tips on planning and production.

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Clubhouse Introduces Spatial Audio

Leah Lamarr is its new app icon

David Cohen

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