Overview

Level: Beginner | Audience: Composer, technician, student, studio user.

Use this page when you want a fast orientation before diving into setup, routing, or plugin-specific details.

The ICST Ambisonics Plugins form a REAPER-based production environment for Higher-Order Ambisonics: source positioning, B-format encoding, loudspeaker decoding, template-based session building, and OSC-based control.

Start here

Choose the fastest entry point for what you want to do next:

• First working session: Quick Start
• Clean installation: Installation
• Build the routing from scratch: Step by Step Setup
• Render the B-format master correctly: Render B-Format in REAPER

Core plugin chain

The standard production chain is:

Source -> Encoder -> Bformat Master -> Decoder -> Speakers

Optional monitoring branch:

Bformat Master -> Binaural Decoder -> Headphones

The key logic is simple:

• Encoders place or move sources in the Ambisonics field.
• The Bformat Master collects the encoded HOA signal.
• The Decoder turns the B-format field into loudspeaker playback.
• A separate binaural decoder is used for headphone monitoring.
• Final exports should be rendered from the Bformat Master, not from the decoder output.

What the suite includes

The ICST Ambisonics Plugins are available in these formats:

• VST3
• AU (Component)
• LV2
  LV2 is currently experimental and should not be treated as the primary production path.

The main modules are:

• ICST Encoders for source positioning and movement
• ICST Decoder for loudspeaker playback
• ICST MultiDecoder for layered or segmented loudspeaker arrays
• Track templates and project templates for faster setup
• OSC support for external control workflows

Choose your path

If your goal is mainly practical, follow one of these paths:

• I want sound quickly: Quick Start -> Step by Step Setup -> Render B-Format
• I want to understand the signal flow: How it Works -> Decoder -> Best Practices
• I want movement and external control: Encoders -> OSC -> Best Practices

Downloads and references

• Plugin releases: https://github.com/schweizerweb/icst-ambisonics-plugins/releases
• Project documentation wiki: https://github.com/schweizerweb/icst-ambisonics-plugins/wiki
• Tutorials and site hub: https://ambisonics.ch/
• YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ICSTAmbisonics

Development

Developer team:

• Christian Schweizer
• Johannes Schuett
• Martin Neukom

Additional production support:

• Video editing: Axel Kolb