If you’re starting to work with ambisonics or are just curious and you’d like to understand more about the format of ambisonics and how it is different to more common stereo and surround sound formats, this blog aims to help. Here are some of the main questions that people usually ask when beginning to understand the format:

Firstly, what is the difference between ‘A format’ and ‘B format’ ambisonics?

Put very simply, A format is the format that is recorded by an ambisonics microphone. This format, as is, cannot reproduce sounds in all directions. Before you’re able to playback your recorded ambisonics audio you must convert it to B format.

Where do I find an A to B format converter?

Your mic will usually come with A-B format conversion software and most of them are free. Conveniently, some of the microphone converter plugins are designed to work on any ambisonics files regardless of what it was recorded on. Below is an example of the Sennheiser Ambeo A-B format converter plug-in. Other good examples are the SoundField by RØDE Plugin and the Zoom Ambisonics Player.