Based at the UK’s University of Huddersfield, Applied Psychoacoustics Laboratory was founded in 2013 by renowned spatial audio and psychoacoustic engineering expert, Professor Hyunkook Lee. The project’s mission was to push the boundaries of sound technology, focusing on how ofpsychoacoustics and immersive audio interact.
Originally launched in May of 2023, APL Virtuoso software has been built on 10 years of research into binaural audio and spatial sound, giving users the ability to mix and monitor immersive audio without needing complex loudspeaker setups. Today, APL releases Virtuoso v2 which has three newly developed features for pushing what’s possible from binaural rendering technology.
Powered by ASPEN technology, APL Virtuoso brings immersive audio mixing and listening to headphones, offering customizable virtual listening rooms that mimic real environments. APL claims Virtuoso delivers accurate externalization and localization of sound, ensuring mix decisions translate well to loudspeakers. The software also provides tonal naturalness, simulating the experience of listening to premium loudspeakers in a perfectly tuned room, while reducing headphone fatigue.
Key features of the new version include support for 53 speaker configurations, ranging from mono to Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D, seven virtual room presets, fully customizable acoustic settings, plus built-in HRTF and head tracking. The software currently provides EQ compensation for 100 headphone models, giving a personalized, high-fidelity listening experience across any setup.
The Virtuoso v2 plug-in is available as AAX, VST3 and AU. It is also available as standalone software, opening potential uses and providing a new level of flexibility.
Head-Related Transfer Function settings in APL Virtuoso are crucial for creating a natural and immersive listening experience. HRTF is a filter that models how an individual’s ears, head and torso affect the way sound reaches the eardrum from different directions. Users can either use one of the five presets built into Virtuoso or upload their personalized settings for an even more realistic adjustment.
By adjusting HRTF and virtual room acoustic settings, Virtuoso can accurately simulate how sound would naturally be perceived in a physical space, providing realistic spatial cues. This allows listeners to experience audio that feels externalized, as if coming from around them, rather than from within their headphones. This precise spatial representation is key to reducing ear fatigue and delivering an authentic and natural listening environment.
Virtuoso v2 adds three new features to its toolbox. The 10-band parametric EQ for headphone equalization takes the previous compensation tool to a new level. Users now can load built-in or custom EQ profiles and tweak the 10-band EQ for a more accurate representation of their desired headphones.
The standalone version of Virtuoso v2 has a built-in WAV/ADM player so users can cue up their favorite music in stereo, multichannel format or Dolby Atmos ADM master files for easy listening. Making the most of audio customization will transport music lovers into their perfect listening room, equipped with an array of loudspeaker options for the ultimate real-life headphone experience.
With a newly developed 3D interactive GUI, users can better visualize speaker arrangements and customize their settings more intuitively. This improvement allows for more control over the mix.
With the release of Virtuoso v2, APL introduces seamless Audeze Maxwell head-tracking integration, offering users a more immersive experience. Unlike traditional head-trackers, typically requiring wired connections and additional bridge software, Maxwell’s built-in head-tracker works wirelessly.
Virtuoso v2 reads the Maxwell’s tracking data directly, eliminating the need for complicated setups. This integration allows Virtuoso+Maxwell users to experience more realistic binaural audio effortlessly, making spatial audio mixing and immersive listening simpler and more precise.
For professional users, APL Virtuoso v2 provides a tool for mixing and monitoring audio in a variety of environments. With realistic virtual loudspeaker setups and a new interactive GUI, engineers can make precise mix decisions on headphones with a new level of accuracy and spatial localization. The software’s accurate translation to real loudspeakers brings consistency across listening environments. This, says APL, makes Virtuoso v2 ideal for professionals demanding precision and flexibility in their workflow, whether working in the studio or remotely.
The new multichannel WAV/ADM player in the standalone app can be used for checking how stereo or immersive mixes would translate in various playback environments, it is also a useful quality control tool when working remotely with a client.
APL Virtuoso v2 offers audiophiles and music lovers an immersive, high-fidelity listening experience for enjoying music as if they were in a professional studio or live concert venue. With its ability to create realistic virtual listening rooms, Virtuoso v2 claims to provide tonal accuracy and precise spatial representation, placing the audio source outside of the listener’s head as though listening to real speakers. This offers a more natural and engaging experience, with reduced listening fatigue for longer and more comfortable sessions. The headphone compensation EQ feature also ensures that each user can enjoy perfectly tuned audio, tailored to their specific setup, enhancing both clarity and immersion.
World-renowned mastering and mixing engineer Bob Katz highlights Virtuoso’s power in professional use. He said: “I thought I was listening to my speakers! Virtuoso fooled me. Amazing creation. We finally have a translation tool that allows mixing with headphones.”
Katz added: “Using Virtuoso, I got a sense of height and rear localization which is far better than other binaural systems I have tried.”
Hans-Martin Buff, who is a long-time engineer for artists like Prince and Peter Gabriel, called Virtuoso: “A game-changer for my binaural adventures.” Emphasizing its reliability and portability whether in a studio or on the road.
With the release of APL Virtuoso v2 audio professionals and enthusiasts can experience an enhanced and immersive listening experience. Whether used for critical mixing decisions or simply enjoying music, Virtuoso’s technology redefines how people interact with sound.
Pricing & Availability: APL Virtuoso v2 is available from apl-hud.com with three options: Plugins $199 (AAX, AU and VST3), Standalone app $149 (macOS and Win) and Bundle $299 (plugins and standalone). APL will offer a 50% discount on all three versions for a limited time starting from October 8.