About

Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology / (ICST) Zurich University of the Arts

The Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology (ICST) is a research and educational center at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), dedicated to advancing technology for music, sound art, and media production.

Focus Areas

Ambisonics & Spatial Sound

Development of 3D audio tools and plugins, including ICST Ambisonics Tools for Max/MSP and ICST Ambisonics Plugins for DAWs.

Sound Research & Perception

Exploration of acoustic perception, algorithmic composition, and interactive sound spaces.

Music & Media Art

Support for projects in electroacoustic music, sound design, and immersive audio formats.

ICST Ambisonics Tools & Plugins

A key outcome of ICST’s research is the ICST Ambisonics Tools, a suite of Max/MSP externals enabling advanced 3D surround audio editing. Developed over two decades, these tools are publicly available. The ICST Ambisonics Plugins bring many of these features to DAWs as VST/AU/LV2 plugins. Actively evolving, they are currently available in version 3.1.0.

This site provides an overview of ICST’s Ambisonics research and developments.