ab Encoder

Meet the Plugin

‘ab Encoder’ is the only encoder you’ll ever need: Simple, smart, and quick!

We created this plugin so that you could grab ANY Mono, Stereo, Quadraphonic 4.0, Surround 5.1, 7.1, Atmos Beds 7.1.2, 7.1.4 or 9.1.6 signal and encode it in a matter of seconds to Ambisonics (1OA through 7OA)*.

No need to spend time tuning or placing speakers or arranging their positions - the algorithm was written to follow the current surround standards so that you can focus on your projects without being distracted.

No need to spend time selecting which Ambisonics order you want, etc - the algorithm will automatically adapt its encoding algorithm to your track’s width.

Finally, as usual, ‘ab Encoder’ will constantly check for your signal’s chain and inform you if there’s any anomaly.

In a matter of seconds, you will have your traditional WAV file converted to the best Ambisonics order possible.

Finally, a panner will help you place the encoded signal in the three-dimensional field, in case you want to lift it, lower it, rotate it, and even increase the distance to the listener - a great tool for creating soundscapes from traditional WAV files.

How to encode to Ambisonics with different DAWs

‘ab Encoder’ automatically encodes your input to 1OA, 2OA, 3OA, 4OA, 5OA, 6OA, or 7OA B-Format*, below you can see quick tutorials on how to decode Ambisonics signals depending on your DAW.

Avid Pro Tools Ultimate

User Guide

You can read an up-to-date User Guide by followig the button below.

Technical Specifications

Current Detailed Compatibility

Compatibility

This product is compatible with the DAWs below:

• Pro Tools Studio (up to 3OA) | Pro Tools Ultimate (up to 7OA)

• Cubase Pro 12+ | Nuendo 12+ (up to 3OA)

• Logic Pro X (up to 1OA)

• Studio One 6.5+ (up to 3OA)

• Reaper 6+ (1OA, 2OA, 3OA, 7OA)

• MaxMSP (up to 3OA)

• DaVinci Resolve Studio 18.5+ (up to 3OA)

With ‘ab Encoder’, you can:

Encode any MONO signal to 1OA, 2OA, 3OA, 4OA, 5OA, 6OA, or 7OA B-Format*.

Encode any STEREO signal to 1OA, 2OA, 3OA, 4OA, 5OA, 6OA, or 7OA B-Format* (with Width control)

Encode any QUADRAPHONIC 4.0 signal (Front Left, Front Right, Back Left, Back Right) to 1OA, 2OA, 3OA, 4OA, 5OA, 6OA, or 7OA B-Format*

Encode any 5.1 signal (Front Left, Front Right, Centre, LFE*, Surround Left, Surround Right) to 1OA, 2OA, 3OA, 4OA, 5OA, 6OA, or 7OA B-Format*

Encode any 7.1 signal (Front Left, Front Right, Centre, LFE*, Back Left, Back Right, Side Left, Side Right or Front Left, Front Right, Centre, LFE*, Side Left, Side Right, Back Left, Back Right) to 1OA, 2OA, 3OA, 4OA, 5OA, 6OA, or 7OA B-Format*

Encode any 7.1.2 signal (Front Left, Front Right, Centre, LFE*, Back Left, Back Right, Side Left, Side Right, Top Side Left, Top Side Right or Front Left, Front Right, Centre, LFE*, Side Left, Side Right, Back Left, Back Right, Top Side Left, Top Side Right) to 1OA, 2OA, 3OA, 4OA, 5OA, 6OA, or 7OA B-Format*

Encode any 7.1.4 signal (Front Left, Front Right, Centre, LFE*, Back Left, Back Right, Side Left, Side Right, Top Front Left, Top Front Right, Top Back Left, Top Back Right or Front Left, Front Right, Centre, LFE*, Side Left, Side Right, Back Left, Back Right, Top Front Left, Top Front Right, Top Back Left, Top Back Right) to 1OA, 2OA, 3OA, 4OA, 5OA, 6OA, or 7OA B-Format*

Encode any 9.1.6 signal (Front Left, Front Right, Centre, LFE*, Side Left, Side Right, Back Left, Back Right, Wide Left, Wide Right, Top Front Left, Top Front Right, Top Side Left, Top Side Right, Top Back Left, Top Back Right) to 1OA, 2OA, 3OA, 4OA, 5OA, 6OA, or 7OA B-Format*

• We recommend an empty LFE channel, but if it weren’t empty, know that it will be encoded to the Omni (W) channel of the Ambisonics file.

• Logic Pro X and Pro Tools are compatible with up to 7.1.2 track widths.

• Logic Pro X encoded signal can only go up to 2nd Order Ambisonics

Ambisonics encoded audio is compatible only with DAWs that support 4-channel (or wider) tracks. If the DAW you use supports tracks of up to Stereo width, this plugin is not for you :)

* AAX works in any Ambisonics Order up to 7OA in Pro Tools Ultimate 2023.6 and above. As of today, the other versions of Pro Tools are still limited to 3OA.

* VST3 is a tricky one! As the VST3.7.8 SDK slowly expands through all DAWs, some DAWs might still not be compatible with tracks above 16 channels, so while our plugins are ready, each developer might adapt their DAW at different timings.

We’re in contact with the DAW developers to try and have them include the latest VST3 SDK so that you can enjoy full 1OA, 2OA, 3OA, 4OA, 5OA, 6OA, 7OA support!

* AU is still limited to 1OA due to Logic’s own limitations, sadly.