Subscription-based sound design service Pyro Audio has released SURROUNDED, a new sound library they describe as the ‘first-ever sound pack to include 100-percent 3D spatial audio content’.

“With so much music being consumed on headphones, we decided it was time we gave creators a set of drums to put the listeners right in the middle of their productions,” said Eric Palonen, Founder of Pyro Audio. “Imagine tambourines surrounding your head, or a kick drum truly down on the floor. ”

“We’ve taken this concept and applied it to a mix of percussion instruments for juxtaposing and layering drum sounds,” Palonen adds. “Anyone with any set of headphones can enjoy the 3D placement of these instruments. For those listening on loudspeakers, the effect translates to perfectly in-phase stereo placement.”

SURROUNDED is a collection of spatial audio percussion samples, specifically designed with layered beat-making in mind. All the samples were recorded using a Neumann KU 100, a specialized binaural recording microphone, which replicates head-related transfer functions.

Pricing and Availability

SURROUNDED is available as part of Pyro Audio’s subscription service, which is $14.99 per year, or month-to-month for $1.79. Sample packs are downloadable in .WAV file format and can be used on all popular samplers and Digital Audio Workstations, including MPC Software, Maschine, Ableton and FL Studio, among others. Once downloaded Pyro Audio sound packs can be used forever, royalty-free.