Dean Keogh
This study aims to investigate how immersive mixing can affect the potential progression of a genre of music, the genre chosen was hardcore punk. An EP was recorded in the genre of hardcore punk and mixed first in stereo and then immersive format. A survey that was conducted with an expert in the field. The findings showed that the immersive format can enhance the listener engagement. However, the stereo format remained the preferred format for casual listening. The study found that immersive mixing can be used to enhance specific listening experiences but is unlikely to replace the standard stereo format, rather could be used in more ambitious projects such as concept albums, to further the immersive listening experience.
This study aims to investigate how immersive mixing can affect the potential progression of a genre of music, the genre chosen for this study is hardcore punk. This study takes a practical approach where an EP was recorded in the genre of hardcore punk and then mixed in two separate ways, first in standard stereo and then 7.1.4 immersive format. This was then followed by a survey that was conducted with an expert in the field. This survey aimed to evaluate the differences between the two mixes and if the immersive format version works within the genre and can also push the progression of the genre forward.
Overall, the outcome of this project demonstrates that the use of immersive mixing techniques and formats do in fact make sense in the context of the genre of hardcore punk. This analysis also proves that the use of immersive formats in music can make the listening experience more engaging, especially for dedicated, focused listening which is where the immersive format shines through the most. This analysis also shows that the benefits of immersive formats does not come from the quantity of the immersive elements within a song, but from the overall quality of the immersive mix itself. However, this does not necessarily mean that the progression of the genre of hardcore punk will be influenced by immersive mixing or that these formats and techniques will become popular within the genre. While Dolby Atmos allows for binaural renders of an immersive mix that can be played back on headphones and provides the listener with the immersive experience, the optimal way to experience an immersive mix is through the use of a multi speaker set up. This is why the immersive format is better suited for focused, dedicated listening over the stereo format and why the stereo format is better suited for casual listening. This finding suggests that the use of immersive mixing formats could better be used for larger scale projects such as concept albums that require focused, dedicated listening and aim to be as immersive for the listener as possible.
My name is Dean Keogh. I am 22 years old. I am a passionate musician, producer and drummer playing in multiple musical projects. I specialize in making punk/ hardcore music. I am very interested in the emerging field of immersive music and how it can be applied to heavy genres of music. I set out to explore how this can be accomplished and how it will affect the current changing landscape of heavy music and its current resurgence in popularity.
