Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology (ICST) Zurich University of the Arts
Ambisonics @ ICST - Tools, Tutorials, and Studio for Spatial Sound
This site is for composers, sound designers, students, and researchers who want to work with spatial sound, whether they are getting started or already advanced. It combines open tools with practical studio workflows and artistic practice.
Use Tutorials for step-by-step setup and production workflows. Use Studio Cases for residency context, listening sessions, and studio updates.
How to use this site?
Two short entry paths:
- Technical path: Start with Quick Start, continue with Step by Step Setup, then move to Tutorials for reproducible workflows.
- Artistic path: Start with Ascolta and Audio Examples, then jump to Studio Cases and Residencies for production context and artistic practice.
Start by Audience
For Beginners
A short entry point into setup, signal flow, and first projects with ICST Ambisonics.
For ICST Residents
Studio context, residency workflows, and production infrastructure on site.
For Ambisonics Nerds
Technical depth on decoder logic, OSC workflows, and production details.
Mobile Quick Access
Residencies
Equipment
New: Ambisonics 101
A compact entry point with the basics of Ambisonics, B-format, typical setups, and headphone-vs.-loudspeaker workflows.
→ Ambisonics 101
The ICST Ambisonics Plugins (Reaper DAW)
The ICST Ambisonics Plugins encode and decode Ambisonics B-Format and provide spatial audio production tools for REAPER DAW — free and open source.
Developed at ZHdK Zurich, this site brings together plugin documentation, tutorials, and a living practice: international composers work in our studio through artist residencies, and the public is invited to acousmatic listening sessions (Ascolta). All tools are format-agnostic and built on the open B-Format standard.
Info at ZHdK: https://www.zhdk.ch/forschungsprojekt/icst-ambisonics-plugins-555245
The Ambisonics Tools (Max 8.0)
Info at ZHdK: https://www.zhdk.ch/en/research/icst/software-downloads-5379/downloads-icst-tools-for-maxmsp-5385
©2026 ICST
Latest Posts
ICST COMPOSITION STUDIO
Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology (ICST) Zurich University of the Arts The ICST Composition Studio at the Zurich University of the Arts is a dedicated production environment for electroacoustic music and spatial sound art. It supports the creation, research, and performance of immersive audio works.
ICST KOMPOSITIONSSTUDIO OVERVIEW
Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology (ICST) Zurich University of the Arts For whom: Level: All levels | Audience: Composer, Student, Researcher, Studio visitor. Studio for Composition The Studio of the ICST is a Surround-Studio with 17 Geithain Speakers (8+5+4) and stereo-monitoring. A Mac Pro is offering various software such as sequencers, HD-recording- and Sound-tools, MAX MSP/Jitter, and PD. The studio is suitable especially for producing ambisonic/surround music. It combines the latest technologies with musical practice and puts its focus on sound research, computer music, and media art. The Studio is a place to support the production and composition of new works of electronic music, sound- and media art.
ICST AMBIENCODER – OSC SYNTAX
Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology (ICST) Zurich University of the Arts OSC Syntax for the ICST AmbiEncoder Plugin For whom: Level: Advanced | Audience: Technician, Developer, Max/OSC user. The ICST AmbiEncoder supports OSC and JavaScript, enabling seamless communication with OSC tools such as TouchOSC, IanniX, MaxMSP, and other OSC-enabled software. This page is the syntax reference. For a practical quickstart and debugging sequence, use: OSC im ICST AmbiEncoder - Die 10 wichtigsten Messages OSC Syntax & Address Specification 1. Accessing OSC Specifications Click the question mark in the ICST AmbiEncoder.
#01 ASCOLTA ACOUSMATIC LISTENING SESSION
Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology (ICST) Zurich University of the Arts #01 ascolta Acousmatic Listening Session For whom: Level: All levels | Audience: Composer, Student, Researcher, Studio visitor. Concert 26.11.2019 18:00 Toni-Areal, Kompositionsstudio 3.D02, Ebene 3, Pfingstweidstrasse 96, Zürich Free admission Jean-Claude Risset (13.3.1938 - 21.11.2016) Programm: Songs 9:13 Octant 12:08 Sud I 9:42 Sud II 5:44 SUD III 8:02 Resonant 14:37 ©2025 ICST
ICST KOMPOSITIONSSTUDIO PRE-INSTALLATION
Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology (ICST) Zurich University of the Arts Pre-installation for your external laptop For whom: Level: All levels | Audience: Composer, Student, Researcher, Studio visitor. AUDIO Install RME Driver (DriverKit) Download MadiFace USB and follow the installer’s instructions. Product Page System Compatibility: macOS / Windows USB Series Kernel Extension: macOS 11+ Manual: Download PDF RME Driver for macOS Installation Guide Login Items & Extensions for DriverKit
MAXMSP & ICST AMBIENCODER – OSC COMMUNICATION
Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology (ICST) Zurich University of the Arts Bidirectional OSC Communication with MaxMSP For whom: Level: Advanced | Audience: Max/MSP and OSC integrator. Generate motion data in Max and send it via OSC to the ICST AmbiEncoder in your DAW. Alternatively, transfer a motion composition from your DAW to the icst.ambisonics-externals. Required Software: MaxMSP v.8.0+ → cycling74.com ICST Ambisonics Tools v3 → cycling74.com ICST Ambisonics Plugins (VST3/AU) → ICST AmbiPlugins Reaper (DAW) → reaper.fm Setup Guide: 1. Configure OSC in ICST AmbiEncoder Open the ICST AmbiEncoder in an FX slot and navigate to Encoder Settings.
#02 ASCOLTA ACOUSMATIC LISTENING SESSION
Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology (ICST) Zurich University of the Arts #02 ascolta Acousmatic Listening Session For whom: Level: All levels | Audience: Composer, Student, Researcher, Studio visitor. Concert Tuesday, October 4, 2022, 18:00 Toni-Areal, ICST-Kompositionsstudio (3.D02, Ebene 3) Pfingstweidstrasse 96, 8005 Zürich Free admission Programm Vêpres vénitiennes – Il dì s’appressa (1999) Rainstick (1993) Im Eismeer – ein Schumann-Stück für Tonband (1997) Auf schwanker Halme Bogen (1985) Un Madrigal gentile (2004)
ICST KOMPOSITIONSSTUDIO EQUIPMENT
Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology (ICST) Zurich University of the Arts For whom: Level: All levels | Audience: Composer, Student, Researcher, Studio visitor. Core equipment and practical checklist for work at the ICST composition studio. Main System Mac Pro production workstation, routing infrastructure, and display setup. RME MadiFace LAWO Matrix Loudspeakers & Control Main monitoring, Ambisonics ring loudspeakers, LFE, and MIDI control. Geithain RL911 Geithain MO-2 LaunchControl XL System Details Mac Pro (28-Core Intel, macOS Sequoia 15.4) Big Screen + DisplayLink Adapter RME MadiFace LAWO Kreuzschiene Speakers & Controller 2x Geithain RL911 29x Geithain MO-2 1x Hafler (LFE) Novation LaunchControl XL Bring With You USB cables Power adapters (Switzerland / Type J) Special connectors Wenn Sie spezielle Connectors wie MIDI/OSC oder andere Anschluesse benoetigen, bitte mitbringen und mit uns in Kontakt treten.
ICST AMBIENCODER – OSC TO FX MAPPING
Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology (ICST) Zurich University of the Arts – ICST AmbiEncoder sends OSC to FX-Plugins-parameter For whom: Level: Advanced | Audience: Technician, Sound engineer. Integrating ICST AmbiEncoder with IEM FdnReverb via OSC This example demonstrates a simple synchronization between ICST AmbiEncoder and IEM Ambisonics plugins, using FdnReverb to apply distance-dependent reverb. The IEM plugins’ OSC interface makes this process straightforward. OSC <–> OSC Communication FdnReverb (by IEM) is a CPU-efficient reverb for B-format. The goal is to increase reverb as the source moves further away in the spatialization.
#03 ASCOLTA ACOUSMATIC LISTENING SESSION
Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology (ICST) Zurich University of the Arts #03 ascolta Acousmatic Listening Session For whom: Level: All levels | Audience: Composer, Student, Researcher, Studio visitor. Concert Tuesday, October 4, 2022, 18:00 Toni-Areal, ICST-Kompositionsstudio (3.D02, Ebene 3) Pfingstweidstrasse 96, 8005 Zürich Free admission GRANULAR Nicos Stavropoulos, January 12, 2018 - January 19, 2018 Karst Grotto (2018) The title was selected based on its onomatopoetic qualities and its direct reference to landscape qualities whose geological spatial structures and processes reflect the sound world of the work. The recordings of the source materials were realized with small electret microphones in a 5.1 Polyhymnia Pentagon configuration.