Working with Ambisonics: Theory and Practice

When: 8-9 March 2025, 11.00-15.00 daily (including lunch break)
Where: Elektronmusikstudion, Söder Mälarstrand 61, Stockholm
Teacher: Mariam Gviniashvili
Fee: 1500 SEK (incl. VAT)

Requirements for participation: You are a user at Elektronmusikstudion or a member of FST. There are no other specific prerequisites, but a basic understanding of DAW principles is recommended. You should at least be 18 years old. The workshop is in English. 

Register: If a selection is needed due to the limited seats at the workshop, the selection will prioritize EMS users and building a group with a variety of backgrounds.
Registration will close 3 March. Register here

In this two-day workshop, we will dive into the world of spatial audio, focusing on one of the most commonly used techniques – Ambisonics. We begin by exploring how we perceive sound in three-dimensional space and take a brief look at the history of spatial sound to understand its evolution and significance.

We will then explain the basics of Ambisonics, the key principles, why it is so effective and where it is commonly used. During a listening session, you will experience works from various artists, created using this technique and develop an ear for its possibilities.

The second half of the workshop is hands-on. Using Reaper and the IEM plug-in suite, you will create spatial audio sketches and play them back on a multichannel speaker system to hear the results. By the end of the workshop, you will have completed a basic Ambisonics project and gained the fundamental skills to continue experimenting with immersive sound. 

What to bring:
– A laptop
– A pair of headphones
– Pre-installed software:
Reaper – https://www.reaper.fm/download.php 
IEM plug-ins – https://plugins.iem.at/download/  
-Bring your own lunch box for the lunch break. 

About the teacher

Mariam Gviniashvili is a composer and sound artist working at the intersection of electroacoustic music, 3D sound, and multimedia performance. Her work explores the physical and emotional dimensions of sound and space, often integrating visuals and live performance to create immersive experiences.
Gviniashvili’s work has been presented at festivals, venues and radio broadcasts worldwide, including Center for Art and Media | ZKM, INA GRM, Ars Electronica, EMPAC, New York Electroacoustic Music Festival, The Cube at Virginia Tech, BEAST FEaST, Transitions at CC​​RMA, MA/IN, ICMC, Mixtur Festival, Klingt Gut, Heroines of Sound, Ultima Festival and BBC Radio.

Application and terms

Application
When you send your application you will receive a confirmation that it has been registrated. After the selection process, an admission letter will be emailed to you. When offered a seat at the course, you need to confirm that you want to attend the course. A few days later you will recieve another email with the invoice. The fee must be paid in advance to participate in the course.

Payment
The fee must be paid in advance to participate in the course.
The payment must be done by direct wire transfer to our bank in Sweden.
The payment must be made in Swedish currency SEK.
It’s not possible to pay by PayPal or similar.

Canceled or rescheduled workshop
Elektronmusikstudion reserves the right to cancel the workshop, change dates for lectures, teachers and fee. If this happens, you will be notified by email. Any paid workshop fees will be refunded if the workshop is canceled. No other compensation is paid.

Non-attendance
If you miss a lecture there is no possibility to repeat the lecture free of charge later in the course, or receive financial compensation for the missed lecture.

 
For inquaries about the workshop, please contact Education Coordinator at Elektronmusikstudion: lisa.stenberg@elektronmusikstudion.se