Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology (ICST) Zurich University of the Arts
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 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 The ICST AmbiEncoder supports OSC and JavaScript, enabling seamless communication with OSC tools such as TouchOSC, IanniX, MaxMSP, and other OSC-enabled software. How It Works Open the ‘OSC In’ tab. _Figure: Encoder Setting ‘OSC In’ receives over the port 50001 Find all information in the Help section by clicking the question mark (?).
#01 ASCOLTA ACOUSMATIC LISTENING SESSION
Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology / (ICST) Zurich University of the Arts #01 ascolta Acousmatic Listening Session 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 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 Troubleshooting Watch the Video starting at 2:36 for assistance.
MAXMSP & ICST AMBIENCODER – OSC COMMUNICATION
Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology / (ICST) Zurich University of the Arts Bidirectional OSC Communication with MaxMSP 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 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) Gerald Bennett, born 1942 in New Jersey (USA), studied among others at Harvard University with Robert Moevs and in Basel with Klaus Huber and Pierre Boulez. 1967–76 he was lecturer for music theory at the Basler Konservatorium, from 1969 its director. 1976–1981 he headed the Département Diagonal at the Paris Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique (IRCAM), and from 1993 he was member of the Internationalen Akademie für elektroakustische Musik Bourges. From 1981 until his retirement, Gerald Bennett taught music theory and composition at the Hochschule für Musik Zürich. Together with Bruno Spoerri, Antonio Greco, and Rainer Boesch, he founded the Schweizerische Zentrum für Computermusik(SZCM) in 1985, and together with Daniel Fueter the ICST – Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology in 2005.
ICST KOMPOSITIONSSTUDIO EQUIPMENT
Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology / (ICST) Zurich University of the Arts Mac Pro (28‑Core Mac Pro mit Intel Prozessor) macOS sequoia 15.4 Big Screen DisplayLink Adapter RME MadiFace LAWO Kreuzschiene Speakers 2x Geithain RL911 29 x Geithain MO-2 1 x Hafler (LFE) Midi-controller Novation LaunchControl XL Bring all special cables and adapters with you. USB Power others ©2025 ICST
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 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 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.